Gunmen attack collation centre, police station, INEC office

Gunmen on Sunday morning attacked a centre where election results were being collated in Bauchi State.

Apart from attacking the Central Primary School in Alkaleri Local Government which was being used as a collation centre, the gunmen also attacked Alkaleri Divisional Police Station, and an INEC office, a resident revealed.


A source at the residence of the district head of Alkaleri confirmed the attack. He said the gunmen came in four Hilux vehicles, shooting sporadically as residents scampered for safety and those indoors remained there.

The source said the gunmen told residents not panic.

“They said they have no intention to harm any body. After the destruction they left for Bauchi (Town), because they took Bauchi road,” he said.

Sunday’s attack occurred less than 24 hours after a similar attack on another part of the state during elections.

Premium Times had reported how gunmen on Saturday stormed a polling unit in Bagurun Primary School of Darazo Local Government Area of Bauchi State, firing gunshots sporadically into the air and forcing voters to scamper for safety.

This spokesperson of the Bauchi State Police Command, Haruna Mohammed, who confirmed Saturday’s attack, said the gunmen arrived at the place in six vehicles and thereafter gathered all election materials and set some of them ablaze.

“The timely intervention of combined security forces, comprising the Police and Army, forced the suspects to abandon their mission and escape to unknown destination,” he said.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks although the Boko Haram had threatened to attack during elections in Northern Nigeria. There have also been reports of similar attacks in neighbouring Gombe.

(Premium Times)