By Abubakar Yunusa Ojima-Ojo
Security Operatives in Kaduna State have arrested a suspected agent, with about ₦25 million allegedly earmarked for vote-buying ahead of today’s bye-elections.
In a statement, the spokesman of the Kaduna State Police Command, DSP Mansir Hassan said the suspect, Shehu Patangi was arrested in the early hours of Saturday morning at a popular hotel located along Turunku Road in Kaduna metropolis, where he was said to be coordinating the distribution of funds for vote buying to influence voters in the Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency bye-election.
The statement disclosed that a total cash of ₦25, 963m was recovered from the suspect, believed to be earmarked to induce voters to compromise the electoral process
According to the police, the suspect, during preliminary interrogation, confessed to the crime and pleaded for leniency.
Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Muhammad, has expressed appreciation to other sister agencies for the synergy and swift collaborative action.
He warned, in the strongest terms, that anyone, regardless of status, found attempting to undermine the electoral process will face the full wrath of the law.
He assured residents that the Kaduna State Police Command’s commitment to providing maximum security before, during and after the elections, and called on them to go out and exercise their franchise peacefully and lawfully without fear or intimidation.
