…the suspected vote buyer was apprehended around 3:30 a.m. at a well-known hotel in Kaduna.
KADUNA, NIGERIA – The iNews Times | In a major pre-election security operation, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, in collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS), have arrested a suspected vote buyer in possession of ₦25,963,000 just hours before the commencement of Saturday’s bye-elections in Kaduna State.
The suspect, identified as Shehu Aliyu Patangi, was apprehended around 3:30 a.m. at a well-known hotel along Turunku Road in Kaduna metropolis. The arrest followed credible intelligence and swift coordination between the police and the DSS.
According to the Kaduna State Police Command, preliminary investigations confirmed that the massive cash haul was intended to be used for vote buying – a scheme aimed at compromising the integrity of the electoral process.
Spokesperson of the Command, DSP Mansir Hassan, stated that the suspect had already confessed to the offence and pleaded for leniency.
“The suspect was arrested with the said amount, believed to have been earmarked for bribing voters,” said Commissioner of Police, CP Rabiu Muhammad.
“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 police commissioner issued a stern warning to all political actors, cautioning them against any form of vote buying, thuggery, or electoral violence. He disclosed that security operatives had gathered intelligence indicating that certain politicians were planning to instigate unrest during the elections.
In response, the Command confirmed a robust deployment of personnel to polling units, collation centres, and other flashpoints to ensure a peaceful exercise.
“The Command will deal decisively with troublemakers,” the statement warned. “Anyone, no matter how highly placed, who engages in violence, intimidation, vote buying, or thuggery will be arrested and prosecuted.”
The police also reassured Kaduna residents of adequate security throughout the election period and urged the public to participate peacefully in exercising their democratic rights.
“We call on citizens to remain law-abiding, vigilant, and to report any suspicious activity as we work together to uphold the sanctity of our electoral process,” the statement concluded.
