Osun Decides: Voting Disrupted as Violence Erupts in Ejigbo

Voting was disrupted in Ejigbo, Osun State, on Saturday following an outbreak of violence during the ongoing governorship election.

The incident reportedly created panic around a polling area, forcing voters, residents and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to flee for safety.

Video footage from the scene showed people running in different directions as tension escalated around the polling area.

Some INEC officials and residents were seen abandoning the area amid the unfolding disturbance, while motorcycles and vehicles moved through the vicinity as people attempted to escape.

The circumstances surrounding the violence were not immediately clear at the time of filing this report.

The disruption occurred as voters across Osun State participated in the governorship election to determine who will govern the state for the next four years.

Security agencies had deployed personnel across the state ahead of the election, with authorities repeatedly urging voters, political parties and other stakeholders to maintain peace and allow the electoral process to proceed without intimidation or violence.

Earlier, the Nigeria Police Force announced restrictions on movement across Osun State from midnight on Friday until 6:00 p.m. on Saturday as part of security arrangements for the election.

The police also warned non-state security groups, vigilantes and other unauthorised bodies against participating in election-related security operations.

The Federal Road Safety Corps also deployed personnel and operational vehicles across the state to support traffic management, emergency response and enforcement of the movement restriction.

The Ejigbo incident adds to reports of tension and alleged disruptions emerging from some locations during the election.

Governor Ademola Adeleke had earlier alleged that suspected APC thugs, with the alleged assistance of some police officers, were intimidating voters and disrupting voting in parts of the state. The allegations have not been independently established.

Meanwhile, the police have reported arrests in connection with suspected election-related activities in other parts of Osun State, including the arrest of an Accord Party lawmaker and about 146 people in Ikire.

As of the time of filing this report, the immediate cause of the Ejigbo violence, possible casualties and the extent of any damage had not been independently confirmed.

Further details are expected as security agencies and electoral officials assess the situation.