Hoodlums hijack BVAS in A’Ibom governor’s LGA

Ini Billie, Uyo

Hoodlums have allegedly hijacked the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in Oniong West Ward 1, Unit 11 and 12 in Onna Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State.

It was gathered that INEC ad-hoc staff were supposed to use two BVAS for wards 11 and 12 but the hoodlums hijacked the BVAS of unit 12 and left BVAS of unit 11.

An eyewitness who chose to remain unnamed said two persons who were injured in the process were rushed to an unknown hospital in the area.

“Some persons were injured and taken out for treatment in an unknown hospital in the area,” he said.

Confirming the incident, Chairman of Onna Local Government Area, Mr Iniabasi Ekanem said the hoodlums caused problems in the polling units.

“We have little issues, we expected it but it depends on the way we manage it. The security officers stationed in the area helped to quell the situation,” he said.

Ekanem however said the election was free, fair and credible despite the disruption of the exercise by the hoodlum, and called on INEC to extend the voting time due to the malfunction of BVAS in some polling units.

However, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Odiko MacDon denied the incident.