Police trade blame over attack on election duty INEC ad-hoc staff

The Nigeria police in Gombe State have blamed attack on some the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by suspected thugs in the State.

**FILE: DESTROYED BALLOT MATERIALS/ARMED POLICE OPERATIVES ON PATROL**

The incident occurred at the Tudunwada Primary School, in the Gombe Metropolis during Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly polls.

The Commissioner of Police in Gombe, CP. Mr Oqua Etim who disclosed to Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in an interview, explained that the ad hoc staff moved with materials ahead of the security personnel”.

According to him, “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 the INEC office.

“Unfortunately the hoodlums took advantage of that. We have taken steps to ensure that such a 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”, he said.

TheNewspad reports that personal belonging of the victims including mobile phones and working tools were allegedly carted away by the hoodlums before the arrival of police personnel.

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