Gunmen attack Bauchi voters, police stations

An unspecified number of gunmen in a convoy of over 10 vehicles on Saturday attacked voters at polling units in Kirfi and Alkaleri in Bauchi State and burned electoral materials.

The development forced voters and electoral officials to flee the polling centres.

Meanwhile, the state government has imposed a 24-hour curfew in Bauchi as well as in Alkaleri and Kirfi following the attacks, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

In a statement on Sunday, spokesman for the police in the state Haruna Mohammed said the gunmen also attacked two police stations in the two local governments.

Mohammed said, “At about 2.30pm on Saturday,   unknown gunmen in about six vehicles attacked a polling unit at Yautara Ward in Darazo Local Government and set ablaze electoral materials.

“Combined security forces comprising the police and army forced the hoodlums to abandon their mission and escaped into the bush.

“Today (Sunday) at about 0025hrs, hoodlums further attacked Kirfi and Alkaleri Divisional Police Headquarters, but were repelled and pursued towards Dindima Town along Bauchi Gombe Road.”

He said   the area had been cordoned off by combined security forces to restore calm.

The police chief added, “The public is urged to remain calm and disregard rumours from mischief makers.”

A statement by   by the Permanent Secretary, Specialties Services, Abdu Illelah, on Sunday said Governor Isa Yuguda imposed the curfew to protect lives and property, adding that it was with immediate effect.

The statement said reports reaching the state government indicated that there was fierce battle between the military and suspected insurgents a few kilometres outside Bauchi town.

The statement said, “In view of the imminent danger this development could have on Bauchi metropolis and its environs, the governor has approved a 24-hour curfew with immediate effect, to protect lives and property.

“All residents are advised to remain indoors and be law-abiding until the military takes control of the situation, after which the curfew would be reviewed.”