Edo2020: We Are Scared To Cast Our Votes – Edo Residents

In the build-up of the Edo state gubernatorial election, scheduled to hold on Saturday, 20 Sept. 2020, heavy security can be seen already parading the state.

As of yesterday, there was a heavy presence of soldiers, police, Air Force personnels and men of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps  in trucks and Hilux vans in Benin, Edo State.

This development on Thursday created traffic congestion on major roads in the state capital, including Ikpoba Hill, Adesuwa Road, Sapele, Airport, Akpakpava and Ring road.

A commercial driver said, “Soldiers, policemen and their vehicles are everywhere. Look at how they have caused go-slow everywhere. It is as if we are at war. This situation will only make the people not come out to vote.

Newsmen were not left out. Some newsmen who were on their way to the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission located on Adesuwa Road, were held down for more than two hours in one of the gridlocks.

Meanwhile, in a bid to alert Edo state residents of security agencies readiness for the election, the agencies yesterday carried out its last joint exercise before the election tagged Operation Show of Force.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Chidi Nwabuzor, said the exercise was a reflection of the inter-agencies’ commitment to ensure that the election was peaceful, fair, free and credible.

The security personnel moved from the state police command headquarters through Sapele Road, Country Home Road and Ugbo road, among others.