By David Kabiyesi
Efforts by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct hitch-free elections within Gombe metropolis suffered a slight setback yesterday after its ad hoc staff came under attack from hoodlums, iwitnesslive.com can report.
Feelers from Gombe revealed that the ad hoc staff who were camped at Tudunwada Primary School opted to jump the gun by moving out ahead of security escort when the hoodlums intercepted and carted away valuables like cell phones, backpacks, and power banks.
Although INEC has failed to make any official statements if election materials were also stolen by the hoodlums, the Commissioner of Police command in the state Mr. Oqua Etim revealed that the ad hoc staff wanted to settle down early at their locations ahead of accreditation, hence their decision to leave without any security escort.
”They were attacked by suspected hoodlums. It is very unfortunate, the ad hoc staff moved with materials ahead of the security personnel. That was the mistake they made.
“They were trying to settle in before other colleagues who were to go with the security team from INEC office.
“Unfortunately the hoodlums took advantage of that. We have taken steps to ensure that such situation doesn’t occur again.
“This has never happened. We planned that as they leave the INEC office as a team, they will be escorted to their various locations.”
