AnambraDecides2025: Police Teargas INEC Secretariat, Injure Corps Member
Chaos erupted in Ihiala Local Government Area, Anambra State, early Saturday as policemen allegedly fired teargas at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) secretariat, leaving a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member and a Yiaga Africa election observer injured.
Eyewitnesses said the officers, reportedly under the influence of alcohol, discharged teargas indiscriminately, forcing electoral officials, ad-hoc staff, and observers to flee for safety ahead of the #AnambraDecides2025 governorship election.
“One of the policemen began shooting teargas canisters this early morning, causing panic among INEC officials, corps members, and observers preparing for the election,” a witness said.
Another source explained that the clash started when a corps member questioned the officers over the unprovoked teargas firing. The policemen allegedly became aggressive, attacking him and others with stones and chairs.
“When the corps member asked why they were shooting teargas this early morning creating undue tension, they pounced on him, throwing stones and chairs. One of the stones hit a window glass, injuring an election observer from Yiaga Africa,” the source said.
The incident disrupted the final stages of election preparations, forcing several officials to flee the INEC premises for safety.
State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the event but said the situation had been “resolved.”
“I just spoke with the election CP in Ihiala; he said the matter has been resolved. It appears to have been a dispute between some election observers and overzealous INEC ad-hoc staff. Policemen were managing the situation,” Ikenga explained.
At Polling Unit 001, Fegge Ward 5, St. John Primary School, officials and ad-hoc staff completed early setup around 8:00 a.m. but could not start accreditation or voting due to persistent BVAS malfunctions.
“We arrived around 8 a.m. and set up, but we have been unable to proceed for almost two hours,” said Samuel Obiora, the Presiding Officer. “The RAC tech checked the BVAS and promised to bring another device.”
By 10:01 a.m., voting had yet to begin, leaving residents frustrated over what they described as poor election preparedness despite INEC’s repeated assurances.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
