Simon Maduekwe, a patient with hypertension, passed away as a result of the shock he experienced when suspected political thugs broke into his home on Fatomi Crescent, Off Bajulaiye Compound, Shomolu, Lagos State, in an effort to catch an unidentified man who was using his phone to record their violent behavior at one of the polling unit.

The sad incident happened during the governorship and state House of Assembly elections on Saturday March 18, when the victim went out to vote his preferred candidates and was threatened by thugs.

Maduekwe’s son, Chuka said, “My dad had gone to vote as early as 8am because the polling unit was in front of our compound on Fatomi Crescent, Off Bajulaiye Compound, Somolu, Lagos State.

“That morning, there was noise at the polling unit as suspected thugs were threatening people to vote for their party, and scaring away those not willing to do their bidding. We also heard them shouting at a particular guy making a video of them.

“When they sighted the guy, they started chasing him, so he ran straight into our compound, and into our apartment. My dad was standing at the door and as the guy and the thugs ran towards him, he collapsed.

“Immediately, we tried to revive him but couldn’t, so, we rushed him to the Somolu General Hospital and a nurse confirmed to us that he was dead. My dad had high blood pressure and has not been doing business for over a year as we have been doing all to keep him alive but he died because of the incident during the election.”

Chuka said his mother had been traumatised by the development.

“My family have been mourning over the incident. My mum is just trying to get hold of what happened, we never anticipated that this election will take him away from us.”

An eyewitness, Samson Duru, described Maduekwe, 68, as a peaceful man who always warned youths against illicit activities during the election period.

Duru said, “The man was shouting at one of the thugs to leave the polling unit and allow people to vote for the candidate of their choice before he left for his house. The whole incident happened some minutes after. He is such a peaceful man who does not like trouble; I pray that his family will be able to bear their loss.”