Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this at a media briefing at the National Collation Centre in Abuja.
Yakubu said two BVAS machines were snatched in Oshimili Local Council of Delta State and six machines were carted away in Safana Local Council of Katsina State.
He said also three BVAS machines were also lost to thugs at Aghamelim Local Council of Anambra State.
He, however, said the commission had recovered and voting had begun in the affected locations.
He said: “Similarly, in Oshimili Local Council of Delta State, thugs attacked a polling unit and two BVAS machines were lost in the process. But again, because we are determined that the election must continue, we were able to replace the stolen machines and voting had continued in that location.
“Similarly, in Safana Local Council of Katsina State, thugs attacked one of the voting locations and snatched six BVAS machines. Again, we’re able to recover and use the spare machines and reinforced security in that locations. Voting had continued in that location.
“Happily, the security agencies recovered three of the previous machines, but three are still held by the thugs. In these locations, the target of attack was actually the BVAS machines, no longer ballot papers, or ballot boxes, it is the BVAS machines but in the two instances, we were able to recover and continue with the process.”
Meanwhile, Yakubu regretted the late arrival of electoral materials in Abia and Imo states.
He revealed that INEC was partnership with telecommunications companies to send text messages to people so that the could locate their voting locations and ensure that nobody is disenfranchised.
