By Obinna Uballa
Voting activities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja , were thrown into disarray on Saturday after tear gas was reportedly fired at prospective voters in Bwari Area Council, forcing many to flee before accreditation and balloting could commence.
A live report on Nigeria Info 95.1 FM detailed scenes of confusion and panic near Zenith Bank, close to the JAMB office in Bwari, where enthusiastic voters had gathered early in anticipation of the polls.
Mrs. Omeza, a caller who said she was at the scene, recounted the incident during the broadcast. “They tear-gassed us; they don’t want us to vote,” she said. “People are crying. People fasting. People that managed to come out, all of them don’t want to come out now.”
According to her, there had been no riot, protest or prior disturbance before the canisters were discharged. She described the action as “totally uncalled for” and appealed to authorities to guarantee the safety of citizens willing to exercise their civic rights.
Security operatives reportedly present at the scene claimed they were unaware of who fired the tear gas. Mrs. Omeza said officers suggested it might have been discharged either by unidentified individuals or by other security personnel, though no official confirmation was immediately available.
The development sparked condemnation from the radio station’s studio hosts, who criticised the deployment of tear gas at a polling environment.
They stressed that such crowd-control measures are typically reserved for trained security agencies – including the police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), or joint task forces – and should not be used in a peaceful electoral setting.
“Election day is not war,” one of the hosts remarked, questioning the appropriateness of force in the absence of unrest.
Beyond Bwari, reports from other parts of the FCT pointed to additional challenges as the polls got underway.
In Gwagwalada Area Council, low voter turnout was observed at Gwadodo Primary and Secondary School, a polling centre hosting 15 units. As of 10 a.m., only a handful of voters were said to be present, despite heavy security deployment in the area, including fresh military personnel.
Observers noted that the visible security presence, combined with reports of disruptions elsewhere, may have discouraged some residents from coming out to vote.
Meanwhile, in Garki, particularly around Lagos Street, logistical setbacks further complicated the process. Ad-hoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were reportedly stranded as transporters refused to move election materials, citing unpaid fees.
The delay left electoral officials waiting for vehicles to convey sensitive and non-sensitive materials to designated polling units, raising concerns about the timeliness and coordination of the exercise.
Studio commentators described the situation as a troubling sign of “logistical flaws,” warning that such shortcomings could undermine public confidence and expose vulnerabilities ahead of future, larger-scale elections.
As of the time of reporting, there had been no official statement from security agencies or electoral authorities clarifying the circumstances surrounding the tear-gas incident in Bwari.
Residents and civil society observers have called on relevant authorities to investigate the incident, ensure accountability where necessary, and take immediate steps to safeguard voters across the FCT.
