The Lagos State Police Command says 23 persons suspected to be involved in electoral violence and other crimes were arrested during the presidential and National Assembly elections on Saturday in Lagos.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the arrest to the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday.
Hundeyin said the figure of arrests might increase as the command was still collating the number of suspects arrested in different divisions during the exercise.
“Collation of suspects arrested is ongoing. 23 suspects were arrested at the last count,” he said.
NAN reports that hoodlums and unknown gunmen allegedly attacked some polling units and disrupted the elections in Mafoluku area and burnt ballot papers.
The Commissioner of Police in Lagos, CP Idowu Owohunwa, told newsmen on Saturday that there were pockets of violence in some parts of the state.
Owohunwa said some persons were arrested, noting that the number of people arrested would be made known to the public.
Residents laud INEC
Meanwhile, Lagos residents on Sunday applauded the conduct of the elections in the state and attributed the success to the efforts of the Independent National Electoral Commission and Nigerians.
A cross-section of residents who recounted their experiences in separate interviews with NAN in Lagos described the elections as the most outstanding exercise so far.
Mr Gbolahan Rasaki who resides in the Epe area of Lagos State expressed satisfaction with the peaceful conduct of voting in his area.
He said, “I never thought the exercise would be seamless as I experienced yesterday; we give thanks to God.
“Voting was smooth, calm and orderly in Epe Divisional area of Lagos State.”
Mr Laja Omolaja, another resident of Lagos who resides in Ikorodu, attributed the success of the elections to both INEC and Nigerians.
He said that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System functioned smoothly, and the INEC officials coordinated and organised voting in an orderly manner.
Omolaja said “I thank President Muhammadu Buhari for giving Nigerians the opportunity to vote for their preferred candidates.
“Any candidate that won is as a result of his or her efforts.”
Another resident, Mrs Ramat Abdulahi, who voted in the Isolo area of Lagos, expressed hope for a renewed Nigeria.
She commended Nigerians for turning out en masse to cast their votes for their preferred candidates. She said “I am happy with the whole exercise; I cast my vote in peace and went home happily.
“I did not vote in the last few years, but I am happy to exercise my franchise yesterday and I pray the results to turn out free and fair.”
A lawmaker representing Epe Federal Constituency, Mr Wale Raji, also expressed delight at the exercise.
He said residents’ conduct was impressive, and the atmosphere was peaceful and orderly
