Showing posts with label News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label News. Show all posts

Saturday, January 6, 2018

Muslim scholars advocate fair representation of Islam in media

Muslim scholars have urged media organisations to ensure fair reportage of issues that concern Islam and Muslims in the country.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the scholars made the call, yesterday, in Lagos at the 2nd Annual Conference of Muslims Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MMPN), Lagos State chapter.

Veteran journalist and Islamic scholar, Alhaji Liad Tella, said reportage of Muslims and Islamic issues suffers setbacks because non-Muslims dominate the Nigerian media.

In his lecture titled: “Analysis of Reportage of Islam and Muslims in Nigeria,” Tella urged Muslims to shun incompetence and embrace professionalism, to win the respect and admiration of non-Muslims.

Prof. Lakin Akintola, another prominent Islamic scholar, in his paper titled: “Imperatives of Media Ownership by Nigerian Muslims,” accused the Nigerian media of misrepresenting Muslims on several occasions.

He urged Muslims to own media houses, while advising the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) to sanction erring journalists who deliberately disseminate falsehoods.

He said: “Sometimes Muslims are deliberately shut out from the media on issues that concern them, while at other times, we see parochial representation of Islam and the Nigerian Muslims. It is now common to hear Muslims being referred to as terrorists in the media. That is condemnable. The NUJ also needs to wield the big stick and sanction media houses that misrepresent religions or incite violence.”

Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Lai Olurode, urged Muslim journalists to be more active in projecting the true essence of Islam as a religion of peace.

CISLAC lauds UNICEF for renovating health facility

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has commended the ongoing effort by the Kano State government, in collaboration with United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), to renovate the dilapidated Dausara Primary Health Care Centre in Ungogo Local Government Area of the state.

The Executive Director of CISLAC, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, said: “We recall that in the mid-2017, CISLAC, with support from the MacArthur Foundation, supported journalists across Kano, Kaduna, Katsina and Jigawa States on field investigation, to report maternal health budget allocation, release and utilisation in the respective states.

He added that the rigorous investigative process by the journalists exposed issues, including that of the ill-equipped and pitiable condition of Dausara Primary Health Care Centre.

Group trains doctors on laparoscopic surgery

PHOTO: AFP / Brendan Smialowski

A three-day workshop on minimally invasive surgery has been organised by the Women’s Health and Action Research Centre (WHARC) for Nigerian doctors.

Dr. Uche Menakaya of Junic Specialist Imaging and Women’s Centre said patients that undergo laparoscopic surgery instead of open surgery feel less pain and spend less time at the hospital.

He stated that there is no structure in the country for doctors to acquire new skills especially on laparoscopy.

"This workshop is important because of the increasing demand for minimal invasive surgery. There are many advantages of laparoscopic surgery because patients are more likely to go home quicker. In the use of minimal access technique, patients stay less in hospital and the cost is reduced. Patients may also have less pain and return to work faster.

Nigeria has no business funding pilgrimages, says lawyer 

• Bauchi Releases N17m For Quran Recitation
A lawyer, Mr. Leonard Anyogo, has called on federal and state governments to stop using public funds to finance pilgrimages.

He said such funds should be used in developing the country rather than waste them on personal business.

Speaking, yesterday, the constitutional lawyer said: “My appeal to the Federal Government is that it should reassess this practice, because it is not in the overall interest of the country. If anybody wants to foster his spiritual life, it should be his personal business and not involve public funds.

“It is difficult to understand why government should fund pilgrimages. This makes some people feel others are given more priority than others. We need money to fix basic infrastructure.”

He said: “The earlier we stop this sort of sponsorship, the better for the country.”

Meanwhile, the Bauchi State government has released N17 million to organise the 2018 Quran recitation competition.

The chairman of the organising committee, Dr. Zubeiru Madaki, announced this yesterday, in Kirfi, Bauchi State, at the inauguration of the 32nd edition of the competition.

Madaki, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), explained that the money was meant for the purchase of cars and other items to be presented to participants as gifts at the end of the one-week event.

He said each of the participating 20 local governments would present 12 participants. He said some of the prizes to be won include four cars, four tricycles, 24 motorcycles, 14 sewing machines and 14 bicycles.

He commended the state governor, Mohammed Abubakar, for supporting the event.

The governor, represented by the Speaker, Bauchi State House of Assembly, Dr. Damuna Kawuwa, declared the competition open.

Kwara government to jail child traffickers

Kwara State government has warned that jail terms await any person caught engaging in child trafficking in the state.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr. Asiata Saka, gave the warning, yesterday, during the 2018 New Year party organised for orphans.

“We have about 22 children in the state’s reception centres and 40 abandoned babies with the Life Empowers Anchors Hope (LEAH) Foundation belonging to Mrs. Omolewa Ahmed, Kwara Governor’s wife.

Saka, who represented Mrs. Ahmed at the party, stressed the need for children to be adequately catered for and protected.

Firdaus Amasa awaits Reps resolution of hijab controversy before legal action

House of Representatives

The Nigerian Law School graduate denied access to the call to bar ceremony, Miss Firdaus Amasa, has said she would await the resolution of the Federal House of Representatives before taking any legal action.

Amasa was denied entrance to the venue because she insisted on wearing her hijab.

In a telephone interview, yesterday, Amasa said she would take legal action because she did not believe the resolution mechanism of the Council of Legal Education and the Body of Benchers would give her justice.

It will be recalled that during the controversy, the Nigerian Law School announced its decision to meet with the Body of Benchers to resolve the crisis.

Amasa said she had not received any communication in that regard.

Meanwhile, another Muslim law graduate, Aisha Zubair, reportedly said she was forced to remove her hijab by officials of the Council of Legal Education and the Nigerian Law School during the last call-to-bar ceremony.

In its reaction to the controversy, the Muslim Lawyers’ Association of Nigeria had reportedly described the action of the Nigerian Law School and Body of Benchers as unlawful.

A text message sent yesterday to the Secretary, Council of Legal Education, Mrs. Elizabeth Max Uba, wanting an update on the issue was not acknowledged.

Community extols Lagos road construction project

PHOTO: Jumia travel

As the Lagos State government embarks on the construction of the Igbogbo-Bola Ahmed Tinubu-Igbe Road, Oba Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali of Igbogboland and his people have lauded the government’s move for bringing meaningful development to their community.

This appreciation was made recently at a stakeholders’ meeting held at the oba’s palace and witnessed by religious leaders, residents, traditional rulers, chiefs and associations of market women and men.

Though the exercise was described as one of gain mixed with pain, it was concluded that the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages.

The construction had necessitated the demolition of some structures along the route, but since those affected have been promised compensation, the meeting said it was ready to co-operate fully with the government.

“Since those affected have been assured of prompt payment, we are pledging our continued and unalloyed loyalty to the governor and the government, and shall not shirk our responsibilities to keep absolute peace in Igbogbo,” they said.

Oba Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali commended the state government for the laudable project, which he said would bring development and sundry opportunities to the community. He urged Igbogbo indigenes to always embrace infrastructural development, which is being witnessed in such other cities as Epe, Badagry and Ikorodu.

Expressing deep sympathy for those affected by the demolition, he appealed to them to be patient and cooperate with the government.

Comrade Olusesan Mayokun Daini, Executive chairman, Igbogbo /Baiyeku local council development authority told The Guardian that the stakeholders have unanimously passed a resolution on their stand on the development, which is welcomed. He explained that the entire people of Igbogbo kingdom appreciate and are grateful to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s administration for approving and embarking on the construction of the super highway of over seven kilometres passing through the heart of Igbogbo kingdom to burst out at Igbe Axis of Ijede Road.

He praised the people’s forbearance and cooperation since the demolition began last December, and urged them to persevere till the end.

Mrs. Adebimpe Akinsola, Special Adviser to the Lagos State governor on housing also commended the people for their love and hospitality. She praised them for being accommodating and peaceful.

She explained that the Ambode administration is bent on providing necessary amenities and infrastructure for the benefit and development of Lagos State and its people.

At the end of the day, all stakeholders, including Oba Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, endorsed the resolution.

Group seeks investigation into diversion of relief materials

IDPs. PHOTO: GETTYOMAGES

Stop Genocide Action Group has called on the government to investigate alleged diversion of relief materials meant for victims of the Numan ethnic crisis in Adamawa State.

The group’s spokesman, Prof. Sali Nana, in a statement, yesterday, said investigating the diversion was necessary to alleviate the suffering of the victims.

“We wish to draw attention to the unprecedented diversion of relief aids meant for the victims of the recent ethnic conflict in Numan and its surrounding communities in Adamawa.”

The group, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) claimed that of the 1,200 bags of millet meant for Fulani victims, only 160 bags were delivered, while 200 bags of cements, 200 bundles of zinc and roofing nails disappeared.

It also cited another instance where the state government provided N150,000 for every cattle lost during one of the crises, but victims received only N17,000 per cattle.

‘Divine wrath for New Year Eve disrupters’

Church

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kwara State chapter, has threatened to invoke God’s wrath on the hoodlums that disrupted New Year Eve services in some churches in Ilorin.

The governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, had promised prompt prosecution of the perpetrators and constituted a commission of enquiry on the incident.

CAN, however, insisted the sacrilegious act would not go unpunished.

Former secretary of the group, Dr. Olusola Ajolore, said: "The attacks were unprovoked. Why the choice of a New Year Eve for the so-called youth carnival? Who authorised it? What is the motive behind its authorisation? By the time we apply the spiritual weapons we have as a church on them, it would serve as example to others with similar notion.

"We were once youths like them, but never destructive. We feared God as youths. Any youth that defiled the house of God has incurred God's wrath. If they lacked training from homes, then spiritual approach will teach them the needed lessons."

Nigeria to speed up repatriating migrants from Libya

PIUS UTOMI EKPEI / AFP

Nigeria is to speed up repatriating its citizens from Libya which has been accused of exploiting and ill-treating migrants, its foreign minister said in Tripoli on Saturday.

Geoffrey Onyeama told a news conference Nigeria was chartering two aircraft to repatriate over the next few days 800 of its citizens who wanted to go home.

Onyeama said he had visited two migrant detention centres in Libya and met a number of his compatriots.

"The reality is that a large number of these Nigerians here have suffered greatly and have gone through an extreme traumatic experience," he told reporters.

"The main objective is to get these Nigerians back home as quickly as possible."

Onyeama admitted there had been difficulties in identifying the number of Nigerians in Libya, as many were undocumented or in detention centres not controlled by the authorities.

Nigeria had already pledged to repatriate 250 migrants a week, following a CNN report on a slave trade targeting illegal migrants from west Africa in Libya.

Nigerians make up the majority of undocumented migrants trying to make the treacherous crossing via the Mediterranean Sea to Europe.

Almost 1,300 Nigerian migrants were brought home from Libya last November -- nearly twice as many as in the previous month, the head of Nigeria's National Emergency Management Agency said in December.

Electoral officer slumps as Kachikwu delivers ward to APC in Delta election


An electoral officer, simply identified as Ufuoma mysteriously slumped and died during the local council election in Delta State.

Ufuoma who arrived the election venue at Unit 9, Ifeyinwa Primary school, Onicha Ugbo with other officials and suddenly slumped.

One of the electorates, Dibie Justin told The Guardian that the death came as a rude shock to all the voters.

Meanwhile, Minister of state for Petroleum resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu delivered his ward in his community to All Progressive Congress (APC).

APC's victory in the PDP dominated community has sent shivers to the spines of Delta government ahead of the 2019 general elections.

NLC tasks Kano government on irregularities in salaries

Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has advised the state government to investigate the recent alleged irregularities in the payment of workers’ salaries in the state.

The state NLC chairman, Comrade Kabiru Minjibir, gave the advice on Saturday at the inauguration of the new executive members of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kano Branch.

Minjibir said the advice became imperative because of cases of salary irregularities in the state.

He said “overtime now, there has been cases of over payment, under payments and illegal deduction of salaries that have caused untold hardship to affected workers .“

Minjibir pointed out that “We have serious irregularities in the payment of salaries for November and December 2017 and majority of workers were shortchanged in the payments of their salaries.

“It is disheartening to witness this act and we deem it necessary to call on government to immediately detect this irregularities.

“Most of workers’ salaries have been deducted without any reason; but we hope government will immediately do something and bring to book the culprits.

“Failure by government to investigate and bring to book the culprits will force the union to seek redress in court,”he said.

He expressed the hope that the state government would put its search light to identify those responsible for the fraud.

He said the union at its own level had started investigation with a view to identifying those responsible for the illegal act and report them to the government for necessary action.

The NLC chairman also decried state government’s alleged nonchalance over pension payments and called for immediate action to remedy the situation.

Minjibir said if the situation continues, the union in the state would have no other option than to use sector 41 of the Kano State Pension and Gratuity law 2006, to seek redress.

Earlier in his remarks, the newly elected Council Chairmen, Comrade Abbas Ibrahim promised to operate an open door policy in order to carry every member along.

Poly Ibadan reopens Jan. 8

Ibadan Poly

The authorities of the Polytechnic, Ibadan, on Saturday said that the institution will reopen on 8 January for the 2017/18 academic Session.

The Registrar Mr. Hezekiah Fehintola urged candidates who had been offered admission to log on to the institution’s website to pay the acceptance fee

He also asked old students to log on to the Website for details on registration and other activities .

The Registrar said that academic activities will commence on Monday, 15th Jan. for both freshmen and old students.

The polytechnic, founded in 1970, was shut on 2 November, 2017 after the academic staff union of the institution embarked on an indefinite strike over non payment of salaries and other benefits by the state government.

Delta LG poll: Thugs batter electoral officials

Photo Credit; rockcityfmradio

Some Thugs suspected to be loyal to a certain political party, have attacked electoral officials in the Ayakoromo Ward 7 (12), even as PDP and APC trade blames.

Earlier in the day, some gunmen stormed the Ughelli L.G. headquarters and snatched electoral materials meant for the area.

In the Ayakoromo Ward 7 (12) incident, some thugs attacked electoral officials on the river banks in the area upon their arrival.

The Presiding Officer who arrived with a few policemen without the Returning Officer was attacked, while a large chunk of the election materials he brought for the election, were hijacked and destroyed along the river banks.

There were accusations and counter accusations by loyalists of the two major parties participating in the election, APC and PDP.

Partisan observers at the polling units accused certain individuals as being responsible for the violent incident.

There has been an earlier report that the Returning Officer for the Ayakoromo Ward 7 (12) has not reported at his duty post since morning.
He was still to surface around 1.00 PM when this report was filed.

2019: APC restates commitment to peaceful, credible elections in Ebonyi

PHOTO: Ebonyi State Goverment

The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Saturday restated its commitment to peaceful and credible 2019 general elections in Ebonyi.

The state’s Chairman of the party, Mr Eze Nwachukwu, who gave the assurance while addressing journalists in Abakaliki, therefore, appealed to groups and individuals preaching violence and war ahead of the elections to have a rethink.

Nwachukwu insisted that APC would abide by extant laws, rules and regulations guiding peaceful conduct of elections in the country.

He said that the party had at a stakeholders meeting on Friday, reviewed its preparedness for the forthcoming general elections and seen the need to make its position known especially in view of unsavoury comments allegedly made by some politicians in the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the state governor, David Umahi, had said that he was ready for the political intrigues that would herald the battle for elective positions in the state ahead of the 2019 general elections.

He said this on Monday while addressing stakeholders of Afikpo North and Ezza South, who paid him a Christmas visit at his country home in Uburu.

In his remarks, he vowed to ensure the re-election of the state and federal lawmakers from Afikpo North and Ezza South Local Government Area of the state.

Umahi had said that there was no vacancy in the state House of Assembly and National Assembly positions in both councils, and that those aspiring for the positions should wait for 2023.

“I am a man of war and ready to war in ensuring that the present occupiers of the positions are re-elected in 2019.

“We all came together on the platform of divine mandate and would complete the mandates together.

“When we all finish our tenures, I will force the present occupiers to vacate the seats to ensure that other aspirants realise their ambitions,’’ Umahi said.

Nwachukwu described the governor’s threat as an indication of acceptance of defeat.

“Gov. Umahi, while addressing stakeholders of Afikpo North and Ezza South, who paid him a Christmas visit at his country home in Uburu, declared himself as a man of war and ready to fight for his re-election in 2019.

“For us in APC, such comments are un-dignifying and unwarranted especially coming from a man occupying the exalted office of Governor.

“Election is neither a war nor a do-or-die affair. It is a free contest that is only decided by the electorate through the ballot hence it is not an act or war.

“Our questions then are: who is fighting who and who is warring against, who since it must take two to fight or to get involved in a war,’’ Nwachukwu said.

“The Governor knows that he has been technically defeated and that is why he wants to threaten and intimidate.’’

Nwachukwu stated that as the largest opposition party in the state, APC believes that power resides with the people and that such power is exercised through their free franchise.

He said that the party would rather seek the votes of the people than preach war.

“For us in the opposition, ours is to mobilize the electorate, canvass for their votes and support and to urge them to actively participate in the electoral process through sustained sensitisation.

“We are letting residents know that we are ready and set to take over power not by hook or crook, but by the laid down legal procedure that enhances peaceful and credible elections.

“We in APC subscribe to the laws of the land and this includes those laws and guidelines regulating conduct of behaviour during elections because in Nigeria there are laws guiding actions and behaviour and our actions,” Nwachukwu added.

He, therefore, urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be vigilant and to apply strict sanctions against any political party or candidate for the elections that violates the electoral law or INEC guidelines.

LG polls: Economic activities halt in Asaba, environs

Photo Credit; rockcityfmradio

Economic and social activities have been grounded in Asaba and its environs following the ongoing local government polls in the 25 councils Edo.

A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent who monitored the poll on Saturday in Asaba, Oshimili North, Aniocha South and environs, reported that shops, markets, filling stations were under lock and key.

There was total vehicular movement restriction in the areas following the state police command order on restriction of movements within the state between 6:00 a.m and 3:00 p.m.on election day.

It also reports that most of the polling units visited in the areas had quite a large number of voters who were being accredited for voting.

Voting has commenced in some other areas such as ward 6 Omuboy Primary and Secondary school Ibusa in Oshimili North Local Government Area of the state.

NAN also reports that voting had also commenced in Ward 11 Aninsha Primary school in Ogwashi-Uku in Aniocha South Local Government Area of the state.

Delta council polls: Voters comply with government restriction order in Warri

Okowa

There was almost full compliance in Warri and environs with the restriction of movement order by the Delta Government as the council polls began on Saturday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that only very few persons and vehicles on special duties were seen on the ever busy major roads in Warri and environs.

However, there were security operatives stationed at strategic locations like the Refinery junction in Ekpan and Airport road to enforce compliance.

Though shops were not opened for businesses, traders of food items in Okere market in Warri South were selling to customers.

However, election materials started leaving the Delta Independent Electoral Commission’s (DESIEC) office in Warri South Local Government Area to the various wards and units as at 8:24 a.m.

The Electoral Officer in Warri South, Mr Tedeye Omagba, said the exercise had been very peaceful.

“You can see the presence of heavy security men around.

“The people have been very orderly and I assure you everything will end peacefully,” he said.

Also, Mr Kelly Otuedon, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman in Uvwie Local Government Area, said the party had done a lot of grassroots campaign to guarantee the party’s victory at the poll.

Otuedon, who is also the Senior Special Adviser to Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa on Security Matters, dismissed the claim that the party imposed candidates on the people in the council.

“We did not impose any candidate on the people, they chose their candidates and are ready to defend their choice today at the poll.

“So far the exercise has been so peaceful,” he said.

NAN reported that voting materials had not been evacuatef from the Uvwie Council as at 9:30 a.m.

The DESIEC office in Ughelli North has, however, been reportedly set ablaze by suspected hoodlums.

Borno government extends curfew in Maiduguri for 7 days

Borno State governor Kashim Shettima

The Borno Government on Friday announced the extension of curfew in Maiduguri for another seven days from 8:00 p.m. to 6: 00 a.m.

The government on Monday rescheduled the curfew hitherto observed between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. to run between Jan. 2 and 6.

A statement by Dr Muhammad Bulama, the Commissioner for Information, said the curfew was extended to Jan. 12.

Bulama said that the curfew was based on “strong” advice of the Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole.

“The state government hereby announces the extension of the rescheduled curfew time earlier announced 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. every day by another one week.

“In other words, the prevailing curfew regime is to now last until Friday, 12th January, 2018.”

Bulama explained that the action was to avail the Armed Forces sufficient time to complete the on going special operation against Boko Haram terrorists and consolidate on the success so far recorded.

He noted that the state government deeply regretted the inconveniences and difficulties caused to the people by the action.

Bulama stressed that the decision was taken to safeguard the collective security and overall well being of the people.

“Government therefore urges all indigenes and residents of Borno State to see this temporary measure as part of necessary sacrifices we all have to make in the interest of peace, stability, development and progress of not only our dear state, but Nigeria as a whole.

“The understanding, support and cooperation of the general public is highly solicited in the observance of the curfew,” he said.

Why we attacked Benue communities - Herdsmen

Fulani herdsmen in Benue State, who were accused of killing about 17 people in the state on New Year day, have explained why they attacked their host villagers.

The President of the Benue State branch of Myetii Allah Breeders Association, Garus Gololo told a correspondent of BBC News( Pidgin) that problem started when some people tried to rustle their cows, while they were emigrating from the state to some neighbouring states.

Gololo said, "While we were trying to relocate to Taraba State, through Nassarawa State to the border town of Nengere, some rustlers came and stole about 1000 cows from us and we have to fight back."

The communities affected by the bloodletting include Gaambe-Tiv, Ayilamo, Turan. Umenger, Tse-Akor and Tomaater, near Tse-Aabi in Logo and Guma local Government areas.

Gololo claimed the attacks by the herdsmen, were in self-defense against cattle rustlers, who stole into their camp in the night to steal their cows.

Reports said that there has been an uneasy calm in the area since Benue State Government enacted the anti-grazing law in the state, without allocating a definite area for grazing for the herdsmen.

Two days after the incident, some youths stormed the major streets of Makurdi, the state capital to protest the New Year attacks. They burnt tyres and blocked all the major roads in the state capital.

The youths threatened to remain on the streets in continued protest until President Muhammadu Buhari takes steps to address the situation or resign from his office.

They also said that the funds and strategies employed by the government to fight against the Boko Haram terrorists in the North East, should also be used in redressing the situation in Benue state.

Speaking on the situation, the Chief Press Secretary to the Benue State Government, Terve Akase, explained that the herdsmen started the attacks on 9 pm of the new year day until about 4 am on Tuesday, the next day.

He added that the attacks were a reaction by the herdsmen against the anti-open grazing law enacted by the state government, to prevent incessant clashes between the villagers and the herdsmen in the state.

"After the government established the law, the herdsmen told the press that they would not abide by the law," Akase said.

He added that "So far, about 20 people have been reported dead by the communities, while Myetti Allah said that seven of their members are missing"

The Police Public Relations Officer for the state Police Command, Moses Yamu, however, confirmed that 17 people died in the violence orgy and that police investigation into the matter is still ongoing, even as 8 herdsmen have been arrested.

Gunmen attack Ughelli secretariat, set building ablaze

Multiple sources report from Ughelli North area of Delta State said that some armed men stormed the Ughelli Local Government Secretariat around 8: 30 am this morning and started shooting sporadically into the air.

The report added that the hoodlums set ablaze the Secretariat Buildings, where elections materials for today's Delta state Local Government elections were kept overnight for distribution to elections officials this morning.

The whereabouts of the state election officials and some journalists monitoring the exercise are unknown as at press time. An eyewitness said some people who were on the premises, during the incident ran into a bush nearby.

A resident told GbaramatuVoice; "We were getting ready for today's election when we started hearing gunshots. everybody started running helter-skelter all over the place.

"We saw some people running into the bush, while the armed men were shooting in the air. Before you know it, they have put fire there."