Some hoodlums who masked their faces on Saturday disrupted
electoral process, when they reportedly set ablaze electoral
materials at Usagbe Primary School, Ogbido, Etsako West local
government area of Edo State.
The incident happened at ward 10, unit 6, a suburb of Iyahmo,
the country home of the national chairman of APC, Adams
Oshiomhole.
The arsonists who were said to be five in number, allegedly
emerged from a nearby bush, shot sporadically into the air to scare
voters away from the polling unit, before carrying out their
nefarious activity.
INEC’s ad-hoc presiding over in the unit, Elechi Chimenumevere,
who spoke journalists, said the incident happened at about 11.30
am.
Chimenumevere described the incident as shocking to them and
the electorate, adding that some of their personal belongings were
also burnt while they ran away with ballot papers and result
sheets.
“About five masked hoodlums suddenly came out from the bush and
shot sporadically into the air to scare voters away.
“Some unused ballot papers were burnt by the hoodlums, including
our personal belongings. At the moment I don’ have NYSC uniform as
my khaki got burnt inside my bag. I was yet to put on the khaki and
other INEC apron before the hoodlums struck.
“With the help of the electorate we were able to secure the
other ballot papers and result sheets. Mobile phone of one of the
ad-hoc staff is missing,” he said.
He said however said that the incident led to the beefing up of
security at ths centre with military operatives.
A voter and resident of the community, Peter Aleobua, described
the incident as unfortunate.
He noted that it was by the grace of God that no life was
lost.
“We are very happy that they didn’t kill anybody. The youths of
the community were very active and they helped in ensuring that
ballot papers and result sheets were safe,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the national chairman of APC, Adams Oshiomhole, has
decried the burning of electoral materials in his ward, describing
it as “condemnable.”
He however commended INEC for the major improvement in the area
of card reader, logistics and arrival of electoral materials and
personnel.
Read more hoodlums-set-electoral-materials-ablaze-at-oshiomholes-ward/
troops
Nigerian Troops Dislodge Terrorists, Recover Gun Trucks
in Villages
Troops of 122 Task Force Battalion deployed in the Forward
Operation Base at Ngwom Community in Borno State have effectively
destroyed some Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) when they (troops) had
a fierce encounter with the terrorists fighting in 4 gun trucks at
about 2230hrs on Wednesday, the 6th of March, 2019.
The bandits (BHTs), had in the recent past, attempted to attack
the same troops’ location but phyrrically receded because of stiff
resistance and aggressive pursuit from the indefatigable and
patriotic troops on a noble military expedition.
In the encounter, tremendous success was achieved, – troops
captured the following;
a. 2 Gun trucks mounted with Anti Aircraft Guns
b. 2 Rocket Propelled Grenade Tubes
c. 5 AK 47 rifles
Additionally, 5 BHTs were forcefully sent to “permanent sleep”.
Several others evidently escaped with gunshot wounds.
Similarly, on the same day, at about 2300 hours, troops deployed
at Gulak responded to a distress call from Kubu village in Shani
Local Government Area of Borno State on the nefarious activities of
terrorists – criminals operating in the village.
On getting close to the area, the bandits engaged the troops
with sporadic firing. In the process, the following incidences were
recorded;
A BHT was deleted and 1 AK 47 rifle was recovered. No lost of
life or casualty on the part of the Nigerian Army.
The Acting General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division Nigerian
Army and Commander Sector 1, Operation Lafiya Dole, Brigadier
General Abdulmalik Bulama Biu commended the troops and conveyed the
Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai’s
commendation and continued support in the war against terrorism and
insurgency. He urged them to maintain the momentum at all
times.
SAGIR MUSA
Colonel
Acting Director Army
Public Relations