Senator Olujimi narrowly escapes death as hoodlums run rampage, kill three in Ekiti Assembly bye-election

 

Senator Olujimi Abiodun of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) escaped death by the whiskers as suspected hoodlums wreaked havoc during the by-election into the vacant Ekiti East Constituency 1 Assembly seat on Saturday.

Senator Olujimi, a native of the Omuo Ekiti, represents Ekiti South Senatorial District.

MuchTalksBlog reports that at least three persons were feared dead during the attack by the hoodlums who invaded the community to snatch ballot boxes. However, a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Abutu, confirmed that only six persons were injured.

“Today, some hoodlums attacked Ward 7 Unit 7 during the House of Assembly bye-election. In the process, six people were injured. Among them were two policemen and one National Youths Service Corps NYSC) member; who are currently receiving treatment in Ikole General Hospital.’’

Further, Abutu said the Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, had directed that all the suspects involved must be apprehended and brought to book.

Senator Olujimi, who addressed newsmen at the Omuo Ekiti Divisional police headquarters, said she narrowly escaped being shot.

The Ekiti East Constituency 1 seat became vacant following the death of Mr Juwa Adegbuyi; an All Progressives Congress lawmaker in the State House of Assembly. Eyewitnesses said that the peaceful conduct of the election was suddenly disrupted at noon when hoodlums invaded the polling centres to snatch ballot boxes. The eyewitnesses added that those who sustained various degree of gunshot wounds were rushed to the Methodist Hospital and General hospital, Omuo Ekiti; while others were moved to facilities outside of the town.

Meanwhile, Senator Olujimi revealed that she was ferried out of the polling unit by party supporters. Also, the senator stated that the attack was carried out by political thugs who invaded her polling unit at Ward 7 Unit 007. In addition, she told newsmen that besides shootings and killings; there were also reported cases of ballot snatching in Ward 9 Unit 008 in the constituency.

Senator Olujimi noted that the election started peacefully before some hoodlums disrupted the process.

“The leaders of APC came to the polling unit. In fact, we greeted warmly. After they left, some APC thugs who stayed behind pulled out guns and started shooting sporadically. This is the first time we would witness this. They picked the ballot box and ran away.

“A man died as he was trying to escape the scene. The policewoman guarding the ballot box was also shot in the head. The corps member and Presiding officer at the unit were hit by bullets. In totality, eight people were shot. Some are dead and five are battling with their lives in the hospital receiving treatments,” she stated.