In a daring and audacious attack amid the ongoing Imo State gubernatorial election, armed robbers targeted agents of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at All Saints Anglican Church, Egbu, Owerri North Local Government Area.
The incident unfolded at a location housing four polling units, where the assailants forcefully seized N1.5 million earmarked for alleged vote buying by the APC.
Eyewitnesses reported the assailants’ sudden intrusion into the church’s premises, initially blending in with voters before revealing their weapons. The attack prompted chaos, with sporadic gunshots leading to a scramble for safety among individuals present, including journalists and police officers.
Chinaza, a voter on the scene, recounted the swift nature of the robbery, indicating that the gunmen entered inconspicuously before demanding money from APC officials amid gunfire.
He stated, “Everything transpired under two minutes, and everyone fled. They just got into their cars and drove off.”
The assailants reportedly fled the scene with the illicitly obtained money, leaving a disrupted election environment in their wake. Prior to the robbery, witnesses claim that APC agents were in the process of dividing the funds meant for vote buying among themselves.
This incident raises concerns about the security and integrity of the electoral process, as criminal elements exploit vulnerabilities within the system. Authorities are expected to launch an investigation into the robbery, with the hope of apprehending the perpetrators and ensuring a safer electoral environment in the future.