LAGOS MARCH 29TH (URHOBOTODAY)-Report reaching the stable of URHOBOTODAY revealed that thugs purportedly sponsored by one of the rival political parties in Delta State raided Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) collation office at Ughelli, Delta State and carted away result sheets, ballot papers and card reader machines among other valuables.
The three rival political parties in Delta State are Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party and APC.
An eye witness who do not want his names on print told URHOBOTODAY that the hoodlums numbering no fewer than fifteen, armed with dangerous weapons fired gunshots into the air while singing war songs to scare away intruders before making their way into INEC office.
According to him, “With the sporadic gun shots passersby, INEC officials, party representatives and security officials stationed in INEC office scampered for safety. Even policemen in Ughelli police station close to INEC office, {the scene of the incident) also took to their heels instead of coming to salvage the situation.
“As soon they entered INEC office where people gathered collating results they ordered INEC and party officials to face ground. After which they ransacked the office and went into the dark night with ballot papers, card readers and result sheets among other INEC valuables.”
Wnen URHOBOTODAY got there this morning INEC office which is close to Ughelli Police Station was deserted with few security men hanging around. Attempt to speak with of the security personnel was rebuffed with order to live the vicinity immediately or detained.
Before now Vanguard newspaper Ughelli Correspondent, Mr. Perez Brisibe and Publisher of Advocate Magazine who went to the same police station to confirm a story not this particular one, were interrogated and detained for few hours on the order of Ughelli Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Mr. Hassan Galadima for daring to ask the police question on election issues.