Voters flee as ‘masked thugs’ attack polling units in Lagos

Suspected thugs wearing masks reportedly attacked polling units at ward D, Igando/Ikotun area of Lagos state.

Nigerians across the country turned up to participate in the governorship and state assembly elections on Saturday.

While there were issues of voter apathy across the country, violence was prevalent in some states, including Lagos.

NAN reports that the thugs, who were armed with sticks and knives, also chased away voters at polling units in the Ijegun community school.

The thugs were said to have been operating on motorcycles, going from one voting area to another to chase voters away.

Some of the voters were forced to jump over the school fence to get to safety.

The affected polling units include 096, 116, 281, 094, 095 and 084.

Another polling unit located at Awonisi Gate on Ijegamo road was also attacked by the thugs who beat up a lady for taking pictures.

The thugs seized her phone and her automated teller machine (ATM) cards, while another man who attempted to challenge the hoodlums was beaten and injured.

Most of the voters, including those that had been accredited, were said to have left the polling areas and didn’t return when the thugs left the location.

Police operatives posted to the polling area were quoted as saying they could not control the situation.

A police patrol team was said to have been alerted of the situation and was seen arriving at the location later.

One of the patrol team officers was quoted as saying “why did they call us after the crisis has died down? They should have called earlier”.