*Army force party agents out of collation centers
*Police, Army assist hoodlums in snatching ballot boxes
Ballot box snatching by armed thugs was prevalent as sorting and counting of votes for Saturday’s governorship and House of Assembly poll commence across polling units in Rivers state.
In most of the polling, units visited, counting of votes is still ongoing.
However, the vote counting process was disrupted at some parts of Rivers as armed thugs reportedly invade some communities and cart away their ballot boxes.
In Abonnema community ballot box snatching took place Wards 5, 6, 7, 10, 11 and 12.
The incidents have sent panic across the coastal town.
Similarly, multiple reports online alleged that the police in Ikwerre LGA were seen colliding with hoodlums in snatching ballot boxes amidst heavy gunshots – This occurred at Omagwa ,ward 9 unit 1 at Ikwerre
Also, there have been reports of selective arrests of some politicians by the army.
According to reports, Army Personnel has taken over the Collation Centres in Asari-Toru, Akuku-Toru, Eleme, Opobo-Nkoro and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Areas, denying access to INEC accredited Agents.
Agents of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, however, said they have informed the relevant authorities on the illegal activities of the Army personnel.
Tweets from netizens:
In Rivers, this is what security agencies and APC thugs are doing all over the state. This is the legacy of their Next Level government. pic.twitter.com/2jQRNZOnV4
— Comrade Deji Adeyanju?? (@adeyanjudeji) March 9, 2019
“Armed military officers attached to Chris oyirinda Amadi just invaded my polling unit to cart away ballot boxes and result sheets” reports @dykamadi from Ward 1 unit 003 Adanta, Isiokpo KELGA of Rivers State pic.twitter.com/7NR3rPKHg6
— Oraye St. Franklyn (@SaintOraye) March 9, 2019
“Thugs carting away ballot boxes in the presence of the Police and Army at Omagwa, Ward 9 Unit1 of Ikwerre LGA Rivers State”
— Nigerian Bar Association (@NigBarAssoc) March 9, 2019
But @hqnigerianarmy men are snatching ballot boxes in Rivers State and the Army will be “analysing” video evidence!
— Victor Udoh (@excelength) March 9, 2019