Violence erupted during the Ogun State local government elections on Saturday when an incident involving suspected rogue policemen occurred, targeting Hon. Muhammed Olaitan Efuwape, the vice chairmanship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Ikenne Local Government, and a voter named Biola.
Eyewitnesses reported that Hon. Efuwape narrowly avoided fatal injuries, although he did sustain wounds. Biola, however, was seriously injured, with gunfire shattering his legs.
He was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.
According to reports, an ex-opposition candidate allegedly brought in over 40 armed policemen from MOPOL 49 in Lagos, along with party thugs on motorcycles, who allegedly attempted to disrupt voting by intimidating voters and attempting to seize ballot boxes.
Sources claimed that a personal assistant to the former candidate, accompanied by these policemen, moved between polling units, intimidating voters and eventually launching an attack on Efuwape.
Upon arriving at the polling station, the group opened fire, injuring both Efuwape and Biola.
Outraged voters managed to disarm one of the officers and identified him as belonging to MOPOL 49 in Lagos.
Other members of the group fled and took refuge at the home of the opposition leader.
As security agents, including members of the Department of State Services (DSS), moved in to contain the situation, the group reportedly fired on them, damaging DSS vehicles.
The Inspector General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun, was informed of the incident and directed Ogun State Police Commissioner, CP Abiodun Alamutu, to mobilize officers from MOPOL 16 and MOPOL 71.
These officers moved to the hideout, where some of the suspects were apprehended, while others escaped.
Those captured were taken into custody at the Ogun State Police Command in Abeokuta for further investigation.
