Heavy security presence have been spotted throughout the City Benin on Saturday amid preparations for the 2024 governorship election in Edo State.
Raye24reporters learnt that police operatives and soldiers were deployed at various locations to barricade all major thoroughfares from the early hours of Saturday.
As a result, some voters were compelled to walk considerable distances to access their polling stations.
Journalists on the ground to monitor the polls observed that on Sakponba Road, security forces began to barricade the main road with tires as early as 4 a.m.
Commuters attempting to reach polling stations were halted, subjected to thorough searches, and subsequently allowed to continue their journey.
However, by 6 a.m., all roads were entirely closed, necessitating those who were aware of alternative routes to navigate through side streets to arrive at their destinations.
Individuals engaged in providing essential services were granted passage after undergoing rigorous checks and searches.
Earlier, the Nigeria Police Force disclosed that it arrested two political thugs during an overnight raid at some locations across Edo State.
The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, announced the development in a statement on Saturday morning.
According to him, three cut-to-size locally fabricated pistols and one locally made gun were recovered from the suspects.
He said, “The Nigeria Police Force has made a significant breakthrough in its efforts to curb electoral violence in Edo State with the arrest of two political thugs, namely: Edwin Obanor, 43-year-old and Audu Tajudeen, a 41-year-old Peoples Democratic Party member from Ugbogbo quarters, Igara Akoko, Edo.
“Acting on a tip-off that some individuals had been armed to cause mayhem and instability during the election on Saturday, the police operatives swooped into action and apprehended Obanor, a leader of an armed group, at Oredo Ward 4 at about 9pm and Audu Tajudeen at Igara Akoko, Edo, on the eve of the election.
“Upon searching the bags in their possession, three cut-to-size locally fabricated pistols were discovered on Obanor while one locally made gun was recovered from Tajudeen.”
He said the arrests are a testament to the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to maintaining law and order and ensuring a peaceful electoral process during Saturday’s governorship election across the state.
