The nationwide Presidential and National Assembly elections that were held on Saturday were marked by violence in several parts of the country. As a result, lives were lost, and the voting process was disrupted in many areas.
In some regions, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) postponed the elections until Sunday due to the violence.
The INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, reported that some BVAS machines were snatched from electoral officials during the briefing he gave to journalists in Abuja. Yakubu noted that insecurity in some states led to delays in some areas.
Yakubu said that thugs attacked polling units in Niger, Delta, and Katsina states and snatched eight BVAS machines. He also stated that three of the stolen BVAS machines were later recovered. Yakubu mentioned that the attacks were targeted at the BVAS.
Furthermore, a woman named Efidi Bina Jennifer was allegedly stabbed by thugs loyal to a political party at a polling unit on Dipolubi Street in the Surulere area of Lagos.
However, she came back to cast her vote after receiving first aid treatment, wearing a heavy bandage on her face, and dripping with blood. The incident was captured in a viral picture and video on social media, and Nigerians commended her resolve, raising money for her.
In addition, a polling unit outside the Oba Elegushi Palace at Ikate in Eti-Osa, Lekki, was attacked by thugs who carted away ballot boxes and chased away electoral officers. The hoodlums still hung around the area, according to an anonymous resident.
At another polling unit in the Ubimini community, Emuoha Local Government Area of Rivers State, a pregnant woman named Ruth Osah and a member of a local security outfit, Mark Orduize, were allegedly killed.
The incident occurred in Ward 12, where houses were also burnt, causing pandemonium in the area and temporarily halting the elections. The President of the Ubimini Youth Council, Ikechukwu Wordu, condemned the incident and claimed that the community had been peaceful before the polls.
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