Police arrest 8 for post-election violence in Ilorin

The Kwara State Police Command have confirmed the arrest of eight persons for alleged involvement in post-election violence in the state capital, Ilorin.

The relative peace in the Ilorin metropolis of Kwara State was Sunday punctured as hoodlums, suspected to be loyalists of one of the major political parties in the state, took to the streets to vent their anger over the results of Saturday’s poll.

The suspects, mainly youth, were said to have been nabbed with weapons such as knives, charms and firearms as they went about town on a shooting spree, intimidating and harassing people. According to unconfirmed reports, one life was feared lost.

PREMIUM TIMES’ findings revealed that hell broke out when news of the governorship election victory of All Progressives Congress filtered into some parts of the state at about noon on Sunday.

The major hotspot in Sunday’ s violence was Niger Street, Ikokoro Street, and Taiwo Isale area where youth armed with dangerous weapons, trooped out to protest the alleged doctored election results .

It took the prompt intervention of the Nigeria police and soldiers to calm the situation. Witnesses said that many people sustained injuries as they ran for their lives while the shooting spree by the political thugs lasted.

Also, property including three cars were vandalized.

The police spokesperson, Ajayi Okasanmi, confirmed the arrests. He said the arrested suspects would be prosecuted after thorough investigation.

He, however, said no life was lost in the disturbance.