The Kaduna State Police Command has said its operatives in collaboration with those of the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies have nabbed a suspected vote buyer ahead of Saturday’s by-elections and recovered N25.9 million cash from him.
The spokesman of the Command and a Deputy Superintendent of Police, DSP Mansir Hassan, confirmed the arrest in a statement he issued on Saturday.
Hassan said that the arrest was sequel to sustained and collaborative efforts by the security agencies to ensure that the by-elections in Kaduna State are conducted peacefully and without interference from criminal elements.
He said at about 3:30am on Saturday, they arrested one Shehu Aliyu-Patangi at a popular hotel located along Turunku Road in Kaduna metropolis and recovered a total cash of N25.9 million from him.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, the seized cash was believed to be earmarked for the purpose of inducing voters to compromise the electoral process.
According to the PPRO, preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect had planned to use the said amount to bribe eligible voters.
Hassan added: “On interrogation, the suspect confessed to the crime and pleaded for leniency.”
He said that the Command’s Commissioner, CP Muhammad Rabiu, had expressed appreciation to the other sister agencies for the synergy and swift collaborative action.
Rabiu warned, in the strongest terms, that anyone, regardless of status, found attempting to undermine the electoral process would face the full wrath of the law.
Hassan said further in the statement: “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.”
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