As Nigerians go to the polls for the 2023 election, hoodlums on Friday night attacked some ad-hoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) camped at Tudunwada Primary School in Gombe State.
It was reported that the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Gombe State Command, Mahid Abubakar, confirmed the incident but did not provide details.
The attackers left at least three of the INEC officials with machete cuts and other injuries. Three of the officials are receiving treatment at a hospital in the area.
One of the ad-hoc staff who declined to state his name said at least three mobile phones, backpacks, and power banks were lost to the hoodlums.
According to him, many of the staff were injured while trying to flee to safety.
“The police and the school guard were nowhere to be found. They went with phones belonging to my colleagues. I sustained injuries while trying to escape,” he said.
While decrying the slow response of security operatives, he said, “an attack that took place at about 11 p.m., not until they (hoodlums) left that police came to ensure order.”