In a tragic turn of events, it has been reported that Boko Haram militants disrupted the electoral process in Yobe State, causing chaos at the election collation center in Kuareta, situated along the Damaturu-Maiduguri Road, approximately 20 kilometers from Damaturu, the state capital.
The incident resulted in the unfortunate loss of two lives, highlighting the severe impact of the attack.
The Yobe State security adviser, Major-General Dahiru Abdulsalam (Retired), officially confirmed these distressing developments to journalists on Sunday, February 4th.
The attack unfolded in the early hours of that day, precisely during the collation of results for the Yobe East Senatorial bye-election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the preceding Saturday.
This grave situation underscores the persistent security challenges faced by regions affected by insurgent activities.
The incursion by Boko Haram into the election collation center not only disrupted the democratic process but also resulted in the loss of lives, further emphasizing the urgent need for comprehensive security measures.
By-elections involving 4.6 million voters across 26 states took place, with 80 Local Government Areas (LGAs) determining the fate of politicians.
An attempted infiltration by Boko Haram at the election center in Yobe state was thwarted by security forces.
Tragically, the District Head’s residence in Kurareta was burned down during the attack. Despite this, Major-Gen. Abdulsalam (Rtd) reassured Damaturu residents of their safety.
A total of 4,613,291 individuals with Permanent Voters’ Cards participated in the elections to fill vacancies in national and state assemblies caused by deaths or resignations.
