Soldiers arrest 140 thugs allegedly hired by a popular politician
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Soldiers deployed to governorship and state Assembly duty in Enugu State have arrested 140 thugs allegedly planning to disrupt voting.
A source said they were picked up at the popular Carollina Hotel, Nsukka, where another three armed hoodlums were also arrested at the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
They were all armed with weapons, including AK47 rifles, and have reportedly confessed to have been hired by a prominent member of a political party in the state.
The spokesman of the 82 Division of Nigerian Army, Enugu, Major Eromosele Unuakhalu, said was yet to get the information, according to The Nation.
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Edo sees better security in governorship election
There is low voter turnout in the state Assembly election in Edo but security is more beefed up compared with the federal vote three weeks ago.
Edo governorship is not on the ballot today because it is one of the eight states in the off-season calendar, holding its own in 2024 when Godwin Obaseki will seek a second term.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports a large presence of security operatives on election duty in Benin City and other parts of the state, mounting road blocks in strategic areas to enforce the restriction of movement order by Inspector General of Police Usman Baba.
Enforcement of stop-and-search
Teams of police officers, military personnel, and paramilitary officers began conducting stop-and-search at checkpoints in Benin City by 7am, according to NAN, per Tribune.
The security axis include Ugbowo, Iyaro, Akpakpava, First East Circular Road, and Sapele Road, where vehicular movement is restricted except for those on election duty.
This is in sharp contrast to the situation in the presidential and National Assembly (NASS) elections on February 25 when residents defied the restriction on movement, with inadequate security officers to enforce the directive
Three weeks ago, many people engaged in their businesses without recourse to the security guideline, which stakeholders blamed for the pockets of violence in parts of the state.
Gunmen cart away voting materials in Bayelsa
In Bayelsa, however, gunmen this morning seized voting materials for Ogbia wards 2, 3, 4 and 5 under Constituency 2 in Ogbia Council.
Eyewitnesses said the gunmen destroyed the election materials, thereby depriving voters the right to vote candidates of their choice.
Governor Douye Diri reacted through a statement by his spokespersons, saying he strongly condemns the attack and urged Baba and Bayelsa CP to restore peace in the area.
