Some suspected political thugs on Saturday, snatched and destroyed ballots boxes in Mopamuro and Ijumu Local Government Areas of Kogi State.
The Aiyedayo Ward 08, PU- 004, Amuro, Mopamuro LGA, was invaded at about 12 noon by some hoodlums, who inflict injuries on voters, destroyed and tore all the thumb printed ballot papers at the unit, which made INEC officials and voter to scampered for safety.
Also, some suspected thugs have disrupted voting in three polling units in Aiyetoro Gbedde in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The polling units are Iluhafon, Town Hall and Okebukun polling units. The thugs arrived in a Hilux van with sporadic shooting anx went away with the ballot boxes, while one eligible voter was shot in the process.
He was immediately taken to the hospital for medical attention.
Voter however have deserted the affected polling units for safety of thier lives.
Speaking on the incidence, the Chieftain of the PDP, Commodore Folusho Daniel rtd, accused the APC of importing some dreaded thugs into the area to unleash mayhem on voters, snatched and destroyed bollot boxes.
Daniel, who was a former Lawmaker representing Mopamuro State Constituency, said the INEC officials had been credible in their conducts, and the police had also been fair.
”But the problem we are having, is that the APC has hired large number thugs, who had infiltrated everywhere within the communities; this is what we are battling with.
”I learnt that they have snatched and destroyed some ballots boxes in Aiyedayo.
”We are just waiting too see if they would come around to some of our units in Orokere Ward 06, but we are prepared for them too; So far so good,” he said.
He advised all the PDP supporters in area to remain camp and wait for the outcome of the voting, saying, ”once the votes are sorted, counted and recorded, then, we would know the next step to take.
”Inspite that, we are in the high spirit because obviously we are in the majority”.
However, Hon Kayode Dennis, an APC stalwart, said ”so far so good, I can only speak for my own polling unit; the turnout was very poor, but all the same things are going on smoothly.
He said that no thug was imported by APC as a party or by any of its members as it was being circulated.
Dennis noted that the four tyres of his car were also punctured by some hoodlums in the night, saying it was very unfair and undemocratic.
”Our people should abstained from political bitterness and embrace peace because politics is not war; I am not happy about it.
He also commended the INEC and the Police for being fair in the conduct of the elections.
Also speaking, Mr Gbenga Agbona, a member of APC (aka King of Boys), said that they were tired of bad governance and non payment of salaries in Kogi, saying they were ready to lay down their lives to defend their votes.
Meanwhile, sorting and counting of votes have started across all the polling units across the areas.
Voters had trooped put very early in their large numbers to exercise the civic right, which made voting to quickly ended in most of the polling units.
