Voters in Nigeria run for their lives as violence flares during the much-anticipated presidential election on Saturday.

Political thugs chase voters at a polling unit in the largest city, Lagos, amid reports of killings, ballot boxes being set on fire and gunshots.

This footage, filmed in Okota, western Lagos, shows people running away from a polling unit as "thugs" chase them, according to the filmer. Live rounds were also discharged in Okota on Saturday, reported africanews.

Four people were also shot dead in the southern Rivers State, according to the local Premium Times.

Earlier in the week, President Buhari said there would be harsh repercussions for anyone attempting to take ballot boxes. It is unclear whether security was involved in the shootings.