JUST IN: Thugs invade polling units, hijack materials in Bayelsa

Hoodlums have invaded polling units in Sagbama local Government area with heavy gunshots and hijacked election materials.

Around 9 am at Agorogbene in units 6, 7 and 8 in Ward 11 of the Local Government, suspected thugs from Southern Ijaw allegedly escorted by a certain politician chased away voters and destroyed election materials.

Attempts by the electorate to challenge the armed men were replied with heavy gunshots.

Also around 9 am, the armed thugs stormed the RAC center and carted away election materials for five out of the seven units.

The ward 11 leader of one of the parties was alleged to have led the armed thugs.

At Ogiadiama ward 9 in Unit 14 of the Southern Ijaw Local Government area, gunmen stormed the unit but were repelled after an emergency call to security men.

Sporadic gunshots were also reported to have been heard around the Imbikiri area of Brass Ward 2 around 3.30 am on Saturday.

At Famgbe in Yenagoa local Government, thugs were engaged in gun-duel with security agents, with some recorded casualties.