An unknown ballot thief was shot and killed by operatives of the Nigerian Army on Saturday at the Ogege Road, Odaba polling unit in Dekina ward in Kogi State. The incident occurred during the ongoing 2023 Nigerian Presidential elections.
Reports indicate that voters in the area fled the voting arena due to the activities of political thugs who came in large numbers to destroy voting materials. These thugs were armed with machetes and guns and reportedly snatched ballot boxes, broke chairs, and dispersed voters.
It was in the midst of this chaos that the army personnel shot and killed the ballot thief. No official statement has been released by the governor, the police, INEC, or any other agency regarding the incident.
Eyewitness accounts suggest that the thief was attempting to escape with stolen ballot boxes when he was confronted by the army personnel. The soldier allegedly fired warning shots before firing the fatal shot.
The incident has further raised concerns over the safety and security of voters and election officials during the ongoing elections in Nigeria. There have been several reports of violence and disruptions at polling stations across the country, with political thugs reportedly causing mayhem and stealing ballot boxes.
The Nigerian Army has since deployed more personnel to the area to restore order and ensure that the electoral process continues uninterrupted. However, the incident has once again highlighted the need for greater security measures and vigilance during the election period.
As the nation awaits official statements from the relevant authorities, there are fears that the incident may spark further violence and unrest in the area. It remains to be seen how the situation will unfold and what measures will be taken to prevent future incidents of violence and electoral malpractice.
