November 09, (THEWILL) – Security operatives under the Joint Security Task Force on Tuesday engaged in a gun battle with gunmen in Ihiala, Anambra state where the governorship supplementary election took place.
Ihiala Local Council Area, which has boundary with Imo State has been notorious for insecurity, a reason that contributed to the poll shift.
The gun battle, which took place at Mbosi-Osumohu junction, a boundary between Anambra and Imo State, lasted for about three hours.
THEWILL learnt that newsmen and election observers who ran into the operatives which comprises the army, police, immigration and other security operatives were asked to turn back for safety.
Their leaders said: “We have been here for the past three hours exchanging fire with them. You better reverse and take a safer route”, forcing the Observers and newsmen to turn back.
Meanwhile, due to late arrival of voting materials, election did not begin in some polling stations until well after 2pm.
Collation of the supplementary election result is scheduled for 9pm at the State headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in Awka, the Anambra state capital.
