The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Nasko, Magama Ward, has been set on fire by angry residents following reports of missing result sheets in the election materials delivered for the upcoming local government election.
Eyewitnesses revealed that electoral officials brought ballot papers to the area but allegedly failed to include the official result sheets, which triggered outrage among the residents, who accused officials of attempting to manipulate the election process.
The protest soon turned violent, leading to the burning of the INEC office. The extent of the damage is yet to be determined, but several sensitive materials were reportedly destroyed.
During the distribution of sensitive materials in Magama on Friday at about 6:30 p.m., some miscreants with dangerous weapons attacked the SIEC office, injured ad-hoc staff, and set the sensitive materials ablaze.
But in a quick response, the Niger State Police Command said the police team on the ground prevented the miscreants from setting the building ablaze, while some suspects were also arrested.
This was stated by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, in a statement issued and made available to journalists on Saturday in Minna.
The statement added that during the distribution of sensitive materials in Magama on Friday at about 6:30 p.m., some miscreants with dangerous weapons attacked the SIEC office, injured ad-hoc staff, and set the sensitive materials ablaze.
SP Abiodun said, “The police team on the ground prevented the miscreants from setting the building ablaze while some suspects were also arrested.”
He, however, added that the incident and the suspects arrested are under investigation.
Meanwhile, Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago, has urged Nigerians to continue to participate in the electoral process because democracy has come to stay in the country.
The governor said this shortly after he voted at his Tswashagi Raba polling unit in Landzun Ward, Bida, on Saturday during the local government elections.
“We give thanks to President Bola Tinubu for insisting that sub-nationals obey the constitution and conduct credible elections across all the local government areas in the country.
“Niger State today is having its own local government area elections, and everybody is out here to cast their votes. This is the experience that is going to show the acceptance of democracy in the country.
“The turnout is unprecedented. Even at the general elections, we don’t have this number. It simply demonstrates the faith Nigerians have in the system,” he said.
Also, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Bida Local Government Area, Mr. Muhammed Usman-Manko, expressed delight with the turnout of voters.
“I can’t believe this massive turnout of voters in this community, irrespective of the harsh weather conditions.
“We are also very grateful to the Almighty Allah for a peaceful exercise. I also heartily appreciate the farmer-governor, Muhammad Bago, for his continuous support. I also appreciate the entire community for this wonderful show of support.
“I am not surprised by the impressive turnout. It shows what the governor is doing for them in terms of infrastructure and human capital development,” he said.