Hoodlums Snatch Five Ballot Boxes in Nassarawa Bye-Election

 

The Nassarawa bye-elections has been marred with several cases of ballot box snatching.

This was confirmed by the Nasarawa State Commissioner of Police, Lawal Shehu, on Saturday  that hoodlums snatched five ballot boxes in the on-going bye elections in the state.

He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the boxes were snatched at Ugwar ward of Toto Local Government Area of the state. He said INEC officials reported the snatching of ballot boxes containing electoral materials in units 003,004,005,006 and 008, adding that he had directed his men to ensure the recovery of the boxes and arrest of culprits.

“We are doing our best to ensure violence- free election; to also ensure the protection of lives and property, as such we will not allow any person or groups to cause distraction,” he said.

He called on voters to remain peaceful, law-abiding and respect constituted authorities in order to have free air and acceptable bye- election. Meanwhile, a former senator, Abubakar Sodangi, has lauded the peaceful conduct of the exercise.

“I want to commend the INEC and the electorate for their peaceful conduct; I urge them to sustain the tempo,” he told NAN, after casting his vote. Also speaking with journalists, Ahmed Musa, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aspirant for the Nasarawa/Toto federal constituency, expressed optimism that PDP will win the bye-election.

He also praised the electorate for their peaceful conduct and urged them to maintain their good conduct. Murtala Sodangi (APC-Nasarawa Central), who is also the chairman, House Committee on Urban Development, Nasarawa State House of Assembly, urged voters to be patient with the APC- led federal and state government in order to enjoy the more dividends of democracy.

Sani Bawa, former chairman of Nasarawa Local Government area of Nasarawa state and a chieftain of the APC in the state, also commended INEC and the electorate for the peaceful conduct of the exercise.