Panic, apprehension as military helicopter hovers over Bauchi communities

Ishola Michael

A military helicopter was seen in the early morning of Saturday, election day hovering in some communities in Alkaleri LGA of Bauchi State thereby bringing fear to the people of the area.

Alkaleri LGA is the area from which the State Governor, Sen Bala Mohammed hails from a development that generated mixed feelings among the people of the area.

Our Correspondent observed that a military helicopter was flying low across some polling units in the area leading to mild panic among residents who saw it.

While some voters and party agents condemned it saying there was no need as it will bring panic and scare people away, others said they have no problem with it as long as it did not disrupt their voting.

Chairman of the local government, Bala Mahmud told Journalists that it was uncalled for, describing it as a form of intimidation from one of the political parties with the instrument of power at their disposal.

But a major stakeholder from the area, Alhaji Muktar Gidado, who holds the traditional title of Jarman Alkaleri, believed the helicopter was a security routine to ensure a peaceful election.

He said that it has not disrupted voting at the Haruna Memorial Primary School Polling Unit 029 where he served as an Observer.

Meanwhile, some people especially women were seen carrying some branded bags believed to be food items on their heads early morning on Saturday.

The women were walking along the popular Ahmadu Bello Way in the Bauchi metropolis coming from a direction that leads to the house of one of the candidates in the elections.

Some of the women who spoke briefly said that they were called to the house to collect the bags before going to their respective polling units to cast their votes for the candidate.

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