Security forces successfully intervened on Saturday, preventing a group of alleged political thugs from abducting Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials and seizing election materials in Imo State.
The incident unfolded at a Registration Area Center in Amaimo, Ikeduru Local Government Area, where security personnel at the center swiftly thwarted the thugs’ attempt to take INEC officials away in their waiting vehicle.
Eyewitnesses reported that armed security operatives fired warning shots into the air when local voters raised an alarm about the presence of the thugs. Startled by the gunshots, the thugs quickly retreated into their bus and fled the scene.
A Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) operative (name undisclosed) revealed that the thugs aimed to hijack INEC officials and election materials. However, the timely intervention and alertness of the public prevented the abduction.
The NSCDC operative mentioned, “Luck ran out on them when some people started shouting during a stampede caused by fear. Their shouting alerted the armed security personnel, who responded swiftly by firing into the air, forcing the thugs to flee.”
The state witnessed a heightened security presence with armed personnel stationed at major roads, checkpoints in Owerri, the state capital, and thorough searches of vehicles and passengers to enforce movement restrictions. Heavily armed soldiers were deployed at various entry points into the city to ensure security ahead of the elections.