Voting was disrupted at a polling unit in Ejigbo, Osun State, on Saturday after violence erupted during the ongoing governorship election, forcing voters, election officials and observers to flee the area.

The incident occurred at Polling Unit 003, Iroyin Ayo Open Space, Ward 004, shortly after the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Najeem Salaam, and his wife cast their ballots.

Video footage from the scene showed voters, residents and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, scampering for safety as tension escalated around the polling area.

Motorcycles and vehicles were also seen moving through the area as residents attempted to leave amid the unfolding disturbance.

The development reportedly prompted security operatives to whisk Salaam away from the polling unit for his safety, while voters and other persons at the location also fled.

The unrest disrupted the electoral process, with INEC officials vacating the polling unit and voting effectively suspended amid concerns over the safety of voters and election personnel.

Operatives of the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps later arrived at the scene in an effort to restore order.

However, the security personnel eventually left the area while tension reportedly remained high.

The immediate cause of the violence was not immediately clear as of the time of filing this report.