Hoodlums disrupt voter registration exercise in Lagos community

Hoodlums, on Friday, disrupted the voter registration exercise at the St. Bridget Catholic Church, Surulere, in Lagos.

Juliet Uchechi, a resident of the area who spoke with TheCable, said the hoodlums came into church premises pretending to be among those that came for registration.

“I had done mine in the church before now. My mom was there when it happened. She said the guys came in pretending to be among those who came for voter registration, but later, one of them pointed a gun at the security personnel,” she said.

Another resident, Okojie Ogbemudia, said the hoodlums stormed the church premises and disrupted the exercise after accusing them of supporting Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party.

Speaking on the incident, Benjamin Hundeyin, Lagos police spokesperson, said the church was not the desginated venue for the registeration exercise, adding that a resident took the officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to a wrong venue.

He, however, did not speak on the reported presence of hoodlums in the area.

“The INEC officials were assigned to Imam Thani street by house 9A for today’s exercise. They were, however, found within the church premises,” he said.

“Residents raised concern and informed the police. The DPO of Ijeshatedo swung into action and brought the INEC officials to the station.

“Preliminary findings show that a resident of the area who volunteered to transport the officials from their office to the centre was responsible for the mix-up. Deliberate or not, further investigation will reveal.

“Meanwhile, the officials were immediately released to proceed to the correct centre to continue their assignment.”