The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has detained nine people for allegedly buying votes and possessing pre-filled ballot papers during the governorship election in Edo State.
Muyiwa Adejobi, NPF‘s spokesperson, said in a statement on Saturday that six individuals were arrested at Aibotse Secondary School, near the Meremu Hotel in Edo state’s Auchi area, for vote buying.
According to Adejobi, the suspects were discovered with “a large sum of money, a cache of weapons, and a detailed plan outlining strategies for voter intimidation”.
The statement reads:
“The well-coordinated effort led to the arrest of two key suspects, who are members of the PDP, Emotingham Godspower (25) and Farawei Isaac (27), both from Ufunama community, Ovia Southwest LGA, Edo state.”
“The suspects, connected to a larger network involving one “Atiku” and a kingpin known as “the boss”, were apprehended at So Cash guest house in Ekpoma, where a substantial amount of cash and incriminating items were recovered.
“Furthermore, six suspects namely Suleiman Abdurahim, Fatima Yakubu, Yusuf Aminat, 52 years, Salihu Lukman, 54 years, Safianu Saratu, 32years were all arrested at Aibotse Secondary School, beside Meremu Hotel, Auchi, for engaging in vote buying.
“This group was found with a large sum of money, a cache of weapons, and a detailed plan outlining strategies for voter intimidation.
“A fake journalist who claims to be a staff member of one of the leading television stations in Nigeria was also apprehended, further highlighting the extent of the criminal network.”
Earlier, the NPF stated that it had arrested two suspected political thugs and seized firearms during nocturnal searches before of the election.