The State Security Service official in Igboeze-South local government in Enugu State, Mr Preye Emmanuel, was attacked by suspected political thugs at Itchi during Saturday’s elections.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent who monitored election in the area on Saturday observed that the situation in the community, the country home of the APC gubernatorial candidate, Mr Okey Ezea, got voters scampering for safety following sporadic shootings by the thugs.
Speaking with newsmen on his hospital bed in Ibagwa-Aka, Emmanuel said that he was monitoring the conduct of the election in the area when armed thugs attacked him, saying that they did not want any security man.
“They beat me to a pulp. l sustained injuries on my head, hand and leg. They spared my life because l denied being a security agent,” he said.
Reacting, the Chairman of Igboeze-South local government, Mr Festus Ozioko, described the situation as `unfortunate’ and urged INEC to cancel results from Itchi ward 1 and ward 11 as loyalists of other political parties were not allowed to vote by the thugs.
“The manhandling of Emmanuel who is on official assignment is highly condemnable. This is crude and irresponsible,’’ he said.
