*As some NYSC members abscond for security reasons

Abakaliki- No fewer than five persons suspected to be thugs were arrested yesterday at Inyaba North Development Centre of Ishielu local government area of Ebonyi State.

The arrest was made by a combined team of police and soldiers and the suspected thugs were arrested for alleged electoral offences.

The suspects were said to have shot sporadically into the air to disperse voters, in an apparent effort to cart away electoral materials.

However, the prompt intervention of the police and the soldiers saved the situation.

The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that many of the voters and INEC officials took to their heels, but some later came back.

Meanwhile, the governorship and House of Assembly elections suffered a setback in some wards in Ebonyi as some of the NYSC members for the electoral jobs absconded for security reasons.

The Electoral Officer, Mr Otu Akanu, who confirmed the development, said they were making arrangements for alternative officers to conduct the polls.

At some of the centres at Ezzamgbo Distribution Centre, Ohaukwu Local Government of the state, there was confusion at the centres as electoral officers were making efforts to replace polling officers that were not available.

Efforts to provide alternative corps members had caused some delays in the commencement of election in some parts of the state.