Despite repeatedly security assurances by the Lagos State police command and other operatives over the ongoing presidential election, some suspected thugs reportedly invaded three polling units in Surulere, Lagos.
The yet to be identified thugs who were armed with dangerous weapons, swoop on the Staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC who were performing their legitimate duties.
At the end of the confusion that ensued at a polling unit in Akinlere, Surulere, all the BVAs machines and ballot boxes containing the ballot papers were carted away by the miscreants who stormed the area in tricycles, otherwise known in local parlance as “Keke Maruwa.”
An eye witness account said that no casualty was recorded in the incident.
At a different attack on another polling unit in Mafoluku, kpako Surulere, a sect of masquerading thugs, shot sporadically on the air to scare innocent voters.
At the end of the melee, the thugs made away with the BVAs machines and set the ballot boxes ablaze.
An eye witness account said that the suspected thugs stormed the area when the voting exercise was near completion.
He disclosed that the thugs who drove in six a seater bus, popularly known as “Korope,” were putting mask to disguise themselves.
“The several gun shots in the air left everyone scampering for safety including foreign observers who were there to monitor the election. By the time the people reconvened, the election materials were already in flames, and the BVAs disappeared,” he said.
The affected polling unit is reportedly adjacent to the residence of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Femi Gbjabimila.
As at press time, the Lagos State police command and the Resident Electoral Commissioner are yet to comment on the incident.
