An attempt by alleged political thugs to abduct officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been thwarted by security operatives in Imo State on Saturday.
It was learnt that the hoodlums also attempted to cart away election materials at a Registration Area Center in Amaimo, Ikeduru Local Government Area of the state.
The vigilant security operatives were said to have repelled attempt by the thugs to whisk away the INEC officials into their waiting vehicle.
Voters in the area reportedly raised an alarm over the presence of the thugs, leading the armed security operatives to fire into the air from a distance to chase the hoodlums.
According to an eyewitness, “The thugs quickly retreated into their bus and sped off on hearing the sound of the gun.”
An unarmed Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) operative at the scene also said that “the thugs were coming to hijack the INEC officials and election materials.
“But luck ran out on them when some people started shouting during a stampede caused by fear.
READ ALSO: Notorious kidnapper, gunrunner, neutralised in Katsina
“It was their shouting that alerted the armed security personnnel, who quickly shot into the air, forcing the thugs to take to their heels,” the NSCDC operative said on the condition of anonymity.
There was heavy presence of security personnel on major roads in the state.
In Owerri, the state capital, and its environs, armed security personnel mounted checkpoints at strategic locations as early as 6:00 a.m. to enforce restriction on movements.
Heavily armed soldiers were seen at different entry points into the city, stopping and searching vehicles, as well as interrogating the drivers and passengers before allowing them to go.
It was observed that all the polling units in Isu Njaba had materials and INEC officials on ground as early as 8.00am.
Consequently, the accreditation of voters commenced at about 8.30am in the area without any security presence at the time of filing the report.