Serious violence has been reported at Oleh Police Division, Isoko South Local Government Area, as the people of Delta State vote in today’s council polls.

“Thugs ahave barricaded the police station,” Prince Aruga Joe Omokaro said in a distress message sent to News Express minutes ago.

Omokaro, a senior journalist in town to cover the polls, spoke of his ordeal when he tried to find out why most of the polling booths were without policemen, expected to be posted there to prevent rigging.

“There were no policemen in most polling stations as at 9:45 a.m.,” Prince Omkaro said.

“I called the DPO but he didn’t pick my call. I had to go to the station to find out why there are no policemen at the polling booths.

“As we approached the station, the thugs surrounded the car. I showed them my Press ID Card and INECaccreditation card; yet they started hitting the car. I had to go down and dangle the INEC card. They attemptd to snatch it and my purse. I managed to to escape but lost cash in my pockt, hat and glasses. The windscreen of the car FST 626BM was broken, the body dented and mud poured all over me and the driver. The DPO has refused to pick my call up till this moment.”

•Photo shows Prince Okokaro.