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Thugs invaded the Adejare Polling Unit in Ilasa, Oshodi/Isolo Local Government Area of Lagos State, on March 18, 2023, disrupting the governorship and state assembly election. The attackers, suspected to be affiliated with the opposition party, wielded daggers and sharp objects, forcing voters to flee.
According to Arome Solomon, an eyewitness, INEC officials were nowhere to be found as of 10:12 am, only few policemen were on ground leaving voters stranded and vulnerable to the thugs. "Policemen on ground were few. The people have all run away and are not willing to return, even the policemen too run away" he added.
Another eyewitness, who craved anonymity and doubles as a party agent at Polling Unit 052, Olusoji Street, off Afariogun, Oshodi, reported being driven out of the area by suspected political thugs after confirming he was an agent of the rulling party. "They seized my phone and checked through it to confirm that I haven’t recorded their activities. They also chased away non-indigenes despite registering at many of the polling units, threatening to beat them if they resist," he maintained.
In a related incident, Funke Elizabeth Adedigba, a 50-year-old polling agent for the APC, Who spoke with our correspondent said she was brutally attacked by thugs from an opposition party at the same polling unit. Funke said the attackers manhandled her, stole her bag containing vital documents and cash, and took her phone, which had recorded videos of the incident.
Both eyewitnesses confirmed the lack of adequate police presence at the voting venue, which emboldened the thugs to carry out their violent acts. The lack of security personnel has raised concerns about the credibility and transparency of the electoral process.
The incident has sparked condemnation from election observers, while many are calling for an investigation into cases of violence in some polling units in the state and the need for those responsible to be brought to justice. All efforts to reach the Lagos State Police Command's Public Relations Officer for comments on the matter proved abortive, as calls to their listed numbers went unanswered.
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