#EdoDecides2024: Electorate Hails INEC As Voting Commences In Esan West

Voting began early at Eguare Primary School, located in Ward 2, Ujogba, within the Esan West Local Government Area, on Saturday in the ongoing governorship election in Edo State.

Naija News understands that the process started at approximately 8:30 am with a good turnout of voters at Units 2, 3, and 11 as of the time of filing this report.

Officers from the Nigeria Police and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were positioned at the polling stations.

After he had cast his vote, an elderly man, Pa Robert Aiguekhagbon, praised the calm and orderly nature of the voting event.

He encouraged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to maintain this peaceful atmosphere and called on those who had not yet voted to behave peacefully.

Earlier, police operatives apprehended two political thugs during an overnight raid at some locations across Edo State.

The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, announced the development in a statement on Saturday.

According to him, three cut-to-size locally fabricated pistols and one locally made gun were recovered from the suspects.

He said, “The Nigeria Police Force has made a significant breakthrough in its efforts to curb electoral violence in Edo State with the arrest of two political thugs, namely: Edwin Obanor, 43-year-old and Audu Tajudeen, a 41-year-old Peoples Democratic Party member from Ugbogbo quarters, Igara Akoko, Edo.

“Acting on a tip-off that some individuals had been armed to cause mayhem and instability during the election on Saturday, the police operatives swooped into action and apprehended Obanor, a leader of an armed group, at Oredo Ward 4 at about 9pm and Audu Tajudeen at Igara Akoko, Edo, on the eve of the election.

“Upon searching the bags in their possession, three cut-to-size locally fabricated pistols were discovered on Obanor while one locally made gun was recovered from Tajudeen.”

He said the arrests are a testament to the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to maintaining law and order and ensuring a peaceful electoral process during Saturday’s governorship election across the state.