The Police Command in Kaduna State said its operatives, in collaboration with those of the State Security Service (SSS) and other sister agencies, have arrested a suspected vote buyer in the wee hours of Saturday scheming to buy votes at the by-elections and have recovered N25.9 million in cash. The command’s spokesperson, DSP Mansir Hassan, confirmed the arrest in a statement issued on Saturday in Kaduna.
According to the spokesperson, the effort was sequel to sustained and collaborative efforts by the security agencies to ensure that the by-elections in Kaduna State are conducted, free and fair, peacefully and without interference from men of the underworld.
In his statement, “Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force in conjunction with the Department of State Services (DSS) have successfully apprehended a suspected vote buyer in Kaduna.”
He said at about 3:30 am on Saturday, they arrested one Shehu Aliyu-Patangi at a popular hotel located along Turunku Road in Kaduna metropolis and recovered a total of N25.9 million in cash from the suspect.
According to Mr Hassan, the seized cash was believed to be an illicit fund earmarked for the purpose of vote buying to compromise the ongoing electoral process.
He explained that preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect had planned to use the said amount to bribe eligible voters.
Mr Hassan added, “On interrogation, the suspect confessed to the crime and pleaded for leniency.”
He said that the Commissioner of Police (CP), Muhammad Rabiu, had expressed appreciation to the other sister agencies for the synergy and swift collaborative action.
The commissioner has sternly warned that anyone, regardless of status, found attempting to undermine the electoral process would face the full wrath of the law.
“The Police Command reassures the residents of its commitment to providing maximum security before, during and after the elections.
“It calls on the good people of Kaduna State to go out and exercise their franchise peacefully and lawfully without fear or intimidation.” NAN