‘Thugs’ set ballot boxes, card readers on fire in Benue

Suspected hoodlums have set ablaze all electoral materials, including ballot boxes and card readers on fire, at Mbalom ward in Gwer east local government area of Benue state.

According to a witness, the hoodlums broke into RCM Primary School, Aya, where the electoral materials were kept, firing shots in the air before setting the materials on fire.

Ngunan Yongo, the electoral officer for the local government area, confirmed the incident to NAN.

The EO said the materials were yet to be distributed to polling units in the ward when the attack occurred.

“The entire materials were burnt,” she lamented.

However, no official of the commission including ad hoc staff was hurt.

She explained that a final decision over the conduct of the elections in the area would be communicated later.

Thaddeus Ujah, a senior official of the commission, also confirmed the early morning attack.

“Right now I can’t say anything, I am overwhelmed; we were not expecting anything of that nature. I am short of words. I can’t see some of my people, they ran into the bush, some of them got injured. For me, the most important thing to me now is to get those people and take them back”.

Ujah said he was posted newly in the area and could not ascertain the exact number of ad hoc staff, who are missing until he takes a roll call.

Editor’s note: This picture was used for illustrative purposes