Scores Injured As Violence Overtook Niger State Community On Election Day

Violence takes over Jima Community in Niger State during the presidential polls on Saturday with scores left injured.
Properties were destroyed in the conflict.
Reports state that there was a clash between members of the community and supporters of various political parties.

EKO HOT BLOG reports that violence erupted in Jima community, located in Lavun Local Government Area of Niger State, during the presidential and National Assembly polls on Saturday, leaving many injured and property destroyed.

According to reports, the violence broke out following an argument that ensued between members of the community and supporters of various political parties at a polling unit in the area.

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The disagreement quickly degenerated into violence, with many people from the village sustaining various degrees of injuries. Additionally, several vehicles were destroyed, and seven motorcycles were burnt during the fracas.

Jima is a community located near the Dokko area and hosts three other villages consisting of Edogi, Emiworo, and Jumata. Eyewitnesses from the area revealed that some police personnel were among those injured in the crisis.

However, officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were safely evacuated from the polling unit by some members of the community.

The disagreement that led to the crisis was described as unfortunate and uncalled for by some observers, who appealed to the state government and security agencies to intervene and prevent a reoccurrence during the upcoming March 11, 2023, governorship elections.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Niger State Police Command, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, disclosed that the command had not received any official information concerning the crisis as of the time of filing this report.