Security operatives have arrested a suspected vote buyer with N25,963,000 cash in Kaduna metropolis, just hours before Saturday’s bye-elections is set to commence in parts of the state.
The suspect, identified as Shehu Aliyu Patangi, was apprehended around 3:30 a.m. at a popular hotel along Turunku Road by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force in collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS).
Spokesman of the Kaduna Police Command, DSP Mansir Hassan, said preliminary investigations revealed the money was meant to induce voters and compromise the electoral process. He added that the suspect confessed during interrogation and pleaded for leniency.
Quoting the Commissioner of Police, CP Rabiu Muhammad, Hassan said the Command would not hesitate to deal with anyone involved in acts capable of undermining free and fair elections.
“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,” CP Muhammad warned.
The Command also cautioned political actors and their supporters against engaging in violence, thuggery, or other illegal conduct, stressing that credible intelligence suggested plans by some politicians to instigate unrest.
