Ballot Box Snatched and Officials Chased Away by Suspected Thugs in Edo Election Chaos
In a shocking turn of events, suspected political thugs seized ballot boxes and voting materials at Oredo Ward 4 unit 42 on Butcher Street, forcing polling officials to seek refuge in a nearby house on Lagos Street.
The security agent assigned to the unit revealed that the attackers brandished a gun as they made off with the crucial materials, barely moments after the officials had begun their electoral duties.
To the utter astonishment of those seeking sanctuary, the police arrived and apprehended two individuals who were protecting the officials and the polling station from further harm. The security agent present at the unit expressed disbelief and confusion over the police’s actions.
Though the Independent National Electoral Commission promptly attended to the scene, Governor Godwin Obaseki expressed the need to investigate the incident further, questioning the motive behind stealing a ballot box that reportedly did not contain any ballot papers.
He reassured the public that thorough arrangements had been made to assign a minimum of five security personnel to each polling unit.
As voting commenced across the state, heavy security was deployed at Third junction and the Upper Sakponba axis in Benin City, notorious for potential trouble.
A combination of soldiers and police officers diligently patrolled the area, aiming to maintain peace and order during the election. Their presence sparked mixed reactions among residents, with some questioning the necessity of such a show of force, comparing it to a war zone rather than a democratic process.
