There was commotion at Unit 17, Ward 5 in Osogbo where a rerun election is taking place.

Everything was calm until about 11.50am when gunshots rang out.

The sounds came from behind a building near the polling unit.

But a policeman said the gunshots came from across the road.

It started with what sounded like fireworks.

As more shots rang out, voters on queue, electoral observers and journalists scampered for safety.

The Police shot into the air in response and everyone around took cover under roofs and behind buildings.

The Police said they were on the alert and that the shots may have been fired by thugs trying to gain access to the unit.

The electoral officers have resumed the polling process and voters have returned to the queues.

Voting is still ongoing and the early morning downpour has been replaced with mild sunshine.

Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Osogbo Branch chairman Bamidele Ajibade said he heard real gunshots before police responded.

He said he was informed that the Police are in hot pursuit of the hoodlums who may have fired the shots.

No one sustained injuries although there is uneasy calm in the unit.

PDP agent missing in Ile-Ife polling unit

There was drama at the Ward 7, Unit 12 Polling Unit in Adereti village, Ife South Local Government Area, as a  PDP agent in the ongoing governorship rerun election in Osun State was missing on duty.

An official of the Independent National Electoral Commission,  Stephen Oyewande, said he could not explain why the PDP  agent was not on duty at the polling unit.

Oyewande, INEC’s Deputy Director, Voters Education, told newsmen to direct their enquiries on the missing party agent to the PDP.

“ Call the state chairman of the party and ask him why his party agent is not here. I can’t explain why he is not here,’’ he said.

Present, however, were  Lateef Abimbola of All Progressives Congress, Olaiya Yemi of All Peoples Alliance and  Rasheed Mojeed of Advance Congress of Democrats.

Also present were  Adeyemo Gafar of Action Democratic Party and Bayo Shittu of Social Democratic Party, were present at the polling unit.

There was tight security at the polling unit while voters were prevented from bringing their smartphones into the cubicles.

Scores of commuters, especially those moving toward the Ondo State end of the highway were caught in the traffic snarl due to the roadblock mounted by the police.

Police arrest PDP House of Reps aspirant, 15 others

The police have arrested a People’s Democratic Party House of Representatives’ aspirant in Orolu Federal constituency, Osun State, Moshood Adejare, and 15 others for allegedly being in possession of customised Independent National Electoral Commission tags.

They were also found with face caps and jackets with the inscription, ‘INEC Osun 2018 Election Observer’ and PDP membership cards.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Department of Operations, force headquarters, Abuja, SP Folasade Odoro, said in a statement on Thursday that the suspects were using the items to gain easy access to restricted areas meant for personnel with due accreditation.

It explained that the suspects were caught by policemen on ‘stop and search’ duties.

Other suspects arrested alongside Adejare included PDP members in Orolu LGA, Oyelayo Dayo; Olaoye Asimi; Raimi Taofeeq (Secretary); Gbenga Olapade; Charles Amibiogoiu; Ayomide Ayansola and Kayode Dada.

Others were Daramola Segun; Tunji Akinroyinmi; Kunle Adedeji; Habeeb Bahiru;Yisa Sodiq; Adeolu Bamijoko; Oladipo Samson and Adeolu Bamidele.

The force said, “Police team on ‘stop and search’ duties at Orolu intercepted vehicles with 16 persons on board in possession of customised INEC tags, face cap and jackets with the inscription, ‘INEC Osun 2018 Election Observer’ and PDP membership cards.

“The suspects are using the items to have easy access to restricted areas meant for personnel with due accreditation.”

The statement refuted reports that some accredited INEC observers were arrested or denied access to polling units.

Police assured Osun electorate and other critical stakeholders of its “renewed commitment and resolve to ensure adequate security for a free and fair rerun election while the investigation continues.”