#OgunDecides2023: Police Repel Attacks, As Hoodlums Snatch Ballot Boxes At Gov. Abiodun’s Hometown

Michael-Azeez Ogunsiji

ABEOKUTA – There were sporadic shootings in Iperu Remo town of Ikenne Local Government on Saturday, when hoodlums suspected to be political thugs snatched away two ballot boxes at Polling Unit 05, Ward 03 in Ayegbami area of the town.

The hoodlums, whose number could not be ascertained, had invaded the polling unit on motorcycles and started shooting into the air with the aim of chasing away voters.

Before escaping from the area with one of the ballot boxes.

They however, succeeded at escaping with one of the ballot boxes, before security operatives, particularly the policemen on election duty at the nearby road intersection could respond with a corresponding gun shots to the scene while the Assistant Polling Officer (APO) for the unit, Alalade Babatunde had been beaten up.

The development however, resulted in chaos, forcing many electorates to scamper for safety to avoid being hit by strayed bullets.

Confirming the incident, the Ogun State police command confirmed there were violence in several parts of the state at the ongoing governorship and assembly elections.

The state commissioner of Police, Frank Mba, while addressing newsmen in Iperu said the police in conjunction with other security agencies arrested ballot snatchers, vote buyers and restriction of movement violators.

The police boss said, “Have gone round and patrolled the state capital intensively, we’ve also patrolled some of the local government outside Abeokuta metropolis like Iperu, Ikenne axis and we will continue with our patrols.

“What I have seen so far is commendable, we have been able to suppress attempt by some people who want to create problem for the electoral processes.

“We have been able to take care of INEC facilities and an enabling environment for the ordinary citizens to come out and cast their vote.

“I actually admitted to the fact that we have a few isolated cases of violence , most of those incidence were nib in the bud, we were able to actually take care of them before they become issues that can actually cause major concise for law and other.

“Where certain people make attempt to break the law that’s how criminal behave anywhere no matter how tight the security is, people will try to breach the law but your job is to constantly reinforce the security conduct.”