Kebbi: Thugs snatch ballot box at Dankwambo’s polling unit

Thugs in Gombe state yesterday snatched ballot boxes at Shehu Manzo 005 polling unit in Gombe metropolis where Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo voted following apparent indication of President Jonathan’s defeat at the unit. It was gathered that the thugs were aided by armed policemen men on patrol in the polling unit area.

Before the incident, votes for the Senate and House of representatives were already counted and the All progressive Congress (APC) candidates won both. Nasiru Shehu Ali Sidi Manzo, an eye witness said they noticed thugs patrolling the area and reported to policemen on patrol that thugs were disrupting the peaceful conduct of voting at the polling unit, but were ignored by the police.

“We are aware of plans to destabilise the smooth conduct of the voting at this polling unit because APC is going to win but we ignored the rumour.

“So, on sighting the thugs carrying all sorts of weapons, voters started running away but that did not deter us. Some people remain and chase them away.

“After the voting when counting started and APC was leading, suddenly the policemen tear-gassed the area and forced the electoral officials into their vehicle,” said Manzo, APC’s agent at the polling unit.

He said APC scored 303 votes, while PDP 88 and three invalid votes were recorded for the Gombe/Funakaye/Kwami constituency Federal House of Representative election.

He said APC recorded 394 votes against PDP’s 92 with 2 invalids were recorded in the Gombe North Senatorial District election.

He said the thugs assisted by the police came when counting of the votes for the presidential election started at the polling unit and snatched the box.

When contacted the police spokesman DSP Fwaje Atajiri, dismissed the allegation saying that it was the work of mischief makers who only wanted to cause trouble.

The Gombe state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Barrister Kashim Gaidam said they were investigating the case and will address the press after their investigation.