3 dead as Ekiti by-election turns violent, Senator narrowly escaped

 

Three persons were reportedly killed on Saturday as the House of Assembly by-election for Ekiti East Constituency 1, Ekiti State, turned violent after political thugs invaded a polling unit, shooting sporadically.

The Senator representing Ekiti South, Biodun Olujimi, was said to have narrowly escaped from harm.

The thugs went on a rampage, unleashing mayhem on voters and security agents, leading to the death of the three persons, a police woman and two others. Several other persons were also injured and said to be receiving treatment at a private hospital in the area.

READ: Drama as APC wins Imo senatorial by-election without candidate

The Ekiti East Constituency 1 seat became vacant in February, following the death of Juwa Adegbuyi who represented the constituency.

It was learnt that political thugs allegedly sponsored by one of the two major political parties – APC and PDP – in the election unleashed violence on voters and security agents.

The shootings started three hours into the poll at Senator Olujimi’s Ward 7, Unit 7.