Unknown gunmen, on Wednesday, attacked voters during local government elections in Enugu State.
Special Assistant to Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, John Tochukwu Ogbodo, escaped death as he was attacked but his car was set ablaze at Akpugo Ward 3, Nkanu West Local Government Area.
Three other vehicles were also set ablaze while five persons were reportedly killed during a sporadic shooting by the gunmen.
One of the voters said that an unspecified number of persons were injured and have been rushed to the hospital.
“They narrowly missed killing one keke driver who was at the venue, but the bullet tore his mouth to pieces. I doubt if he will survive. They have taken him to the hospital. Five corpses are lying around there now, some are inside gutters” he said.
Members of the news crew of Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS) covering the elections were also attacked.
The media team comprised a driver, cameraman and three reporters.
Also with them was a reporter with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Two of the ESBS reporters, Chiamaka Ezeaputa and Chigozie Alex-Nwafor and driver, Ebuka Collins Ogbozor, have been rescued.
The driver and one of the reporters, Mrs Alex-Nwafor, narrowly missed being killed.
They were attacked at Obeagu on their way to Agbani.
According to them, the whereabout of two other team members, Fred Nnaji and Monday Ogbodo, is unknown even as their phone lines were still switched.
The body of a female security agent was also seen at the scene.
The state held its local government elections in the 17 local government areas to elect council chairmen and ward councillors.
In his Amube Ward I1,Polling Unit, Ohom Orba, Udenu Local Government Area of the South-East state, Ugwuanyi exercised his franchise.
In Aguobu -Owa, Ezeagu local government area, the Deputy Governor, Mrs Cecilia Ezeilo, voted at her Aguobu -Owa, ward 1, Polling unit 006 at 11:50am.
The Presiding Officer, Ikenna Onah, in an interview, said that the electoral materials arrived early and accreditation of voters started at 8am and ended at 10am. He said 789 voters registered and 651 voters were accredited.
Onah described the voting process at the ward as the most peaceful. “There was an impressive turn-out. This is the most peaceful election we have had here. Voters turned out enmasse. There is adequate security as you can see.”
Member representing Ezeagu local government at the House of Assembly, Chima Obieze, said he voted in his Akama-Oghe ward.
He said the voting process was free and fair. Materials were brought to the polling unit on time.
He said he voted at 11:20am and the process was peaceful. “Security is okay. We have had about two Hilux vans of Army, who came to see what is happening.
“About 7:15am, materials were deployed at various polling units. People came out enmasse and voted. We are comfortable with the process. There were no challenges”, he said.
On her part, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Diaspora, Mrs Olangwa Ezekwu, said she voted in her Akama ward.
She said that voting was peaceful and people came out in their large numbers. “People are happy. The election has been conducted without violence. Our wards are okay. ”
The SSA said that the impressive turn out was as a result of the massive mobilisation.
The Presiding Officer for Akama ward 006, Collins Obi, said 1,002 voters were registered and 502 voters accredited.
Another Presiding Officer, Barr.Ugwuozor Charles of Akama 005, said materials arrived at 8am and 1,203 voters were registered and 500 accredited.
On his part, Presiding Officer for Akama 004, Obiora Nnaoke, said 1,347 voters were registered and 500 accredited.
Voters who spoke with newsmen said the exercise was generally peaceful and an improvement of the previous elections.
In Enugu North, Enugu South, Udi and Enugu East local government areas, as well as other local government areas in the state, elections were held.
Major markets in the state were closed, most shops were closed, few people opened their shops and vehicular movements were skeletal.
Election observers monitored the process while security agents were visible at various polling units.
In some places , especially in rural areas, few people opened their shops and some group of young men were seen playing football at school fields.
The local government elections will produce 17 Council Chairmen and 260 Ward councillors.
