ILESA, OSUN STATE — Voting activities were briefly brought to a chaotic halt at the polling unit of former Minister of Interior and ex-Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, following an attack allegedly carried out by political thugs affiliated with the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The incident occurred in Ilesa East Local Government Area as voters gathered to exercise their civic rights.

Eyewitness Accounts and Scene of Disruption

According to eyewitnesses and local voters present at the voting station:

  • Shattered Calm: A group of armed men suddenly descended on the polling center, firing warning shots into the air and scattering voters queued up for accreditation and voting.
  • Disruption of Materials: The attackers reportedly overturned tables, targeted election observers and party agents, and attempted to destroy sensitive materials before fleeing the scene.
  • Voter Panic: Panicked voters and polling staff scattered for safety, forcing temporary suspension of the process at the unit.

The disruption follows ongoing internal frictions and high-stakes political rivalry in Ilesa and surrounding local government areas.

Security Response and Restoring Order

Security operatives attached to nearby patrol units responded swiftly to the alarm, cordoning off the area and restoring calm.

  • Reinforcements Deployed: Tactical teams from the Nigeria Police Force and military detachments arrived to secure the immediate vicinity, encouraging displaced voters to return.
  • INEC Assessment: Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials at the venue assessed the situation to ensure electoral materials remained intact before resuming voting activities under heavy security cover.

Mounting Security Concerns Across Osun

The incident in Ilesa adds to a growing list of security flashpoints reported across Osun State, alongside earlier claims of road blockades, police sieges, and voter harassment in various districts.

Electoral observers and civil society organizations have repeatedly urged security agencies to maintain a firm, neutral presence across all local government areas to safeguard voters and prevent armed disruption as collation approaches.