Those who predicted that the governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections will witness violence appear to be turning out right. Reports from Rivers Lagos and Akwa Ibom States have it that gunmen have stormed some polling stations. In Lagos, the gunmen reportedly struck in Bariga area. Areas affected included Abule Okuta and Odunsi. Accreditation was disrupted following the gunshots in the area. In Akwa Ibom State, voters dispersed from Unit 7, Ward 1 of Ini Local Government Area as the gunmen fired sporadically. In Rivers State, shooting in the Buguma area has reportedly left two persons dead.
According to reports by Vanguard newspaper, the House of the state’s Commissioner for Women Affairs, Joeba West, was reportedly set ablaze in Buguma. Vanguard gathered that INEC RAC Centre in Kalabari National College, Buguma was also set on fire in the orgy in violence in the ongoing election in Rivers State. A Police patrol vehicle was also burnt in Buguma.
In a similar development, gunmen took over the Town Hall Polling Zone in Ilase-Ijesa area of Obokun Local Government Area in Osun State. It was believed the purpose was to scare away prospective voters.
Though a detachment of police and other security agents came to the scene to restore order, during which the thugs dispersed, the gunmen returned shortly after the law enforcement agents departed.
Sporadic gunshots were heard shortly after this, which forced many prospective voters scampering to safety.
