Feb 23 poll: Drivers lose colleague, vehicles in Rivers State

Brave Dickson

Some commercial bus drivers who were contracted by INEC to convey last Saturday’s presidential and national assembly elections’ materials to designated LGAs across Rivers State have condemned the killing of a driver and destruction of their vehicles during the elections in some parts of the state.

Chairman, Divers Welfare Association of Nigeria, Rivers State Chapter, Comrade Leekia Isaac who narrated their ordeal said a driver who was contracted to convey election material to the Kalabari axis of the state, lost his life in the violence that characterised the presidential and national assembly elections area.

He also confirmed the destruction of not fewer than four buses by political thugs and blamed security agents for not putting the security of drivers and buses in their agenda.

According to him, “I am not happy with the police in particular. They were only interested in protecting INEC officials and materials, leaving bus drivers to save themselves.

“We were hired by INEC to transport election materials for them during last Saturday’s polls. Unfortunately, one of our drivers was killed in the violence. Some of the buses we used in transporting the election materials were damaged.

“As I speak to you, nobody or institution has come to us to sympathize with us over the losses we incurred. We are not happy.”

The state police command was yet to react as the telephone line of the State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Nnamdi Omoni could not be reached when our correspondent contacted him

Recalled that prior to the elections’ day, commercial buses plying various routes across the state were relatively scarce as they were booked by INEC to ferry personnel and materials to designated LGAs.

Reliable reports also have it that scores were killed including INEC staff and military personnel during the national elections in the state.

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