. . . Thugs cart away ballot box after PDP wins polling unit

By CHARLES IWUOHA

In a brazen attack during the ongoing Imo State gubernatorial election, daring robbers targeted All Progressives Congress (APC) agents at All Saints Anglican Church, Egbu, in Owerri North Local Government Area, and carted away the sum of N1.5 million earmarked for vote buying.

Amid sporadic gunshots, the daring robbers stormed the church’s grounds, where four polling units were located, and demanded money from the APC officials.

Under intense gunfire, it was gathered that individuals, including journalists and police officers, scurrying around for safety.

Chinaza, a voter, said that the gunmen had entered the premises like ordinary voters before surprising everyone by brandishing their weapons as the cops fled the scene.

He said:”We had just voiced our grievances regarding the APC agent’s inadequate negotiation for votes when these boys entered and made demands, amid gunfire, for the money that was going to be distributed, causing everyone to flee,” he said.

“Everything transpired under two minutes, and everyone fled. They just got into their cars and drove off.”

According to him, before the incident, the agents were dividing the vote buying money amongst themselves.

In another development, thugs allegedly working for the APC just carted away ballot box and other election materials at Umuchoko Umuohiagu Junction Polling Unit, Ward 11, in Ngor Okpala LGA of lmo state.

This happened after counting and PDP led with 65 votes against APC’s 35 and LP 17.