TheCable

Abiodun Olujimi, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senator, says the policewoman shot during the Ekiti east constituency I bye-election was guarding a ballot box.

Olujimi, senator representing Ekiti south, also accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of sponsoring thugs to disrupt the exercise.

On Saturday, violence broke out during the exercise, resulting in the loss of lives.

Olujimi is a native of Omuo Ekiti, where the incident took place.

Speaking with journalists, the senator said she narrowly escaped being shot.

Olujimi said the election was peaceful until thugs invaded the area, alleging that the incident occurred after some leaders of the APC visited the polling unit.

“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,” she said.

“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 dead and five are battling with their lives in the hospital receiving treatments.”

Meanwhile, Kayode Fayemi, governor of Ekiti, said the perpetrators of the violence will be brought to justice.