Gunmen Storm Voting Centre, Kill Councillor in Orumba South

A local councillor was shot dead on Saturday after gunmen stormed a polling unit in Owerre Ezukala Ward 1, Orumba South Local Government Area, during the ongoing governorship election in Anambra State.

Eyewitnesses said the attack occurred around 1:30 pm while the councillor was attempting to cast his vote.

The assailants, described as “unknown gunmen,” opened fire at the polling centre, sending voters and election officials fleeing in panic.

A community leader, Odogwu Odemenna, confirmed the councillor’s death, saying:

“My ward is in chaos right now.

The councillor was shot dead this afternoon while trying to vote. People are furious.”

Reports indicate that security personnel were present at the polling unit but were unable to prevent the attackers from escaping. Local residents have expressed fear and concern over the incident, calling for urgent intervention by law enforcement agencies.

This tragic event underscores growing concerns about election security in the South-East region of Nigeria, where violence has increasingly disrupted the voting process in recent years.

Authorities have yet to release an official statement on the identity of the gunmen or the motive behind the attack.

Community leaders are now urging the police to conduct a prompt investigation and ensure heightened security at remaining polling units to prevent further incidents.

The killing of a sitting councillor on election day is expected to heighten tensions and could potentially affect voter confidence in the remainder of the election.