According to reports, armed political thugs invaded a polling unit in Itogun area of Irowo ward in Odode Idanre, Ondo state, firing stray bullets that hit a young girl and a security officer. The incident occurred when the suspected thugs attempted to steal the ballot boxes and started shooting sporadically to scare away people who had gathered to cast their votes. The police, however, tried to resist the thugs from snatching the ballot boxes, leading to an exchange of gunfire between the security officers and the hoodlums. Unfortunately, one of the security officers and an innocent girl who was washing clothes in her compound were hit by stray bullets. The two victims were immediately rushed to the General hospital, where they received medical attention.
Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Funmi Odunlami, stated that the suspect involved in the shooting had been arrested, and a pump-action with two live cartridges was recovered from the hoodlums. Meanwhile, in another part of the state, in Ute, Ose Local Government Area, some thugs reportedly hijacked and destroyed ballot boxes during the House of Assembly election. The hoodlums reportedly stormed all the ballot boxes of the nine units, threatening to deal with any voters who attempted to vote for other political parties in the area. Despite the threat, voters still cast their votes for other political parties, leading to the destruction of ballot boxes in the ward at Ute. A source also revealed that some INEC officials were attacked on their way to the collation center, and ballot papers and other election materials in their custody were destroyed and burnt.
In conclusion, the incident is a stark reminder of the need for better security measures during elections to protect the lives of citizens and maintain the integrity of the electoral process. The authorities must take urgent steps to bring the perpetrators of these heinous acts to justice, and ensure that such incidents do not occur in the future.
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