Ebenezer Adurokiya and Micheal Chukwuebuka Reporting From Osogbo
A police officer deployed to maintain peace during Saturday’s Osun State Governorship Election was allegedly caught attempting to flee with a ballot box after voting had ended and results had been announced.
The incident occurred at about 6:06pm at Alajue Ward 1, Polling Unit 010, opposite Seventh Day, Ede South Local Government Area of Osun State, according to Stonix News correspondents monitoring the election.
Witnesses said the officer reportedly grabbed one of the ballot boxes and attempted to escape in a silver Toyota Camry. However, vigilant voters at the polling unit raised the alarm and apprehended him after he allegedly dropped the ballot box and tried to flee.
The incident occurred shortly after votes had been counted and the results announced in the presence of voters and security personnel deployed to the area.
Stonix News gathered that the polling unit is located close to the private residence of the incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke.
One of the governor’s wives was reportedly at the location, surrounded by supporters who were celebrating after Adeleke was declared the winner at the polling units.
Shortly before the alleged incident, some security operatives patrolling the adjoining expressway reportedly fired a shot into the air, causing some voters waiting around the polling unit to temporarily disperse.
The police officer allegedly seized the moment to grab the ballot box. However, his attempt was reportedly thwarted when some voters who remained at the polling unit moved swiftly to confront him.
Other policemen were seen pursuing the officer, although it was unclear whether they were attempting to assist him in escaping or to recover the ballot box.
The officer was eventually rescued from the agitated crowd by other policemen on duty, who reportedly bundled him into a waiting patrol van and immediately left the scene.
The development caused tension and nearly resulted in a breakdown of law and order as some youths appeared ready to confront the security personnel.
However, elders and other community members reportedly intervened, appealing to the youths to remain calm and preventing the situation from escalating.
As of the time of filing this report, it was not immediately clear whether the officer had been arrested or whether the police authorities had commenced an investigation into the incident.
Stonix News could not independently establish the officer’s identity or the circumstances surrounding his alleged attempt to remove the ballot box.
