Bye-election: Security Operatives in Kaduna, Ogun Arrest Suspected Vote Buyers withN25million in Cash
Combined security operatives in Kaduna have arrested a man suspected to be vote buyer with a cash of N25. 9 in cash as the bye-election holds in the state.
The man identified as Shehu Aliyu Patangi who had in possession N25, 963, 000 ( twenty five million nine hundred and sixty three thousand) reportedly apprehended around 3:30 a.m. by operatives of the Police in collaboration with the Department of State Services at a popular hotel along Turunku Road in Kaduna metropolis.
A security source quoted the Kaduna State Police Commissioner, CP Rabiu Muhammed as saying that the cash was prepared to be used to induce voters in the scheduled National Assembly Bye-election in the state.
According to the CP, “The suspect was arrested with the said amount, believed to have been earmarked for bribing voters.
“He confessed to the crime and begged for mercy. We wish to reiterate that anyone found attempting to undermine the electoral process will face the full wrath of the law.”
The Kaduna Police Command has issued a stern warning ahead of the election noting that the police and other security agencies are determined to confront anyone that intends to stir trouble or engage in vote buying during the election.
The police statement in part reads, “The Command will deal decisively with troublemakers. Anyone, no matter how highly placed, who engages in violence, intimidation, vote buying, or thuggery will be arrested and prosecuted.”
Similarly, security operatives in Ogun State have arrested suspected Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in company with some politicians and recovered a yet to be disclosed large sums of money in their possession.
The suspects were arrested in a popular hotel in Iperu-Remo, Ikenne Local Government Area of the state.
The Police has not given details of the arrest at press time.
