Nine individuals have been arrested by the police for alleged vote buying and possession of pre-filled ballot papers during the ongoing governorship election in Edo State.
The arrests were made in various parts of the state, with the suspects linked to vote-buying operations and voter intimidation tactics.
In a statement on Saturday, Force spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the arrests and revealed that six suspects were apprehended at Aibotse Secondary School near Meremu Hotel in Auchi.
The police reportedly recovered a large sum of money, weapons, and evidence of plans to intimidate voters in the area.
Among the key suspects are Emotingham Godspower, 25, and Farawei Isaac, 27, both from Ufunama community in Ovia South West Local Government Area (LGA).
They were arrested at So Cash Guest House in Ekpoma, where police found substantial amounts of cash and other incriminating items believed to be linked to a larger criminal network involved in electoral malpractices.
The suspects are said to be part of a syndicate involving individuals known by the nicknames “Atiku” and a kingpin referred to as “the boss.”
Additional arrests were made in Auchi, where Suleiman Abdurahim, Fatima Yakubu, Yusuf Aminat (52), Salihu Lukman (54), and Safianu Saratu (32) were taken into custody for their involvement in vote buying.
Police at the scene seized cash intended to influence voters.
In a related incident, a fake journalist posing as a staff member of a major television station was also apprehended.
The suspect was reportedly attempting to cover up illegal activities at one of the polling units.
Earlier, the police had announced the arrest of two political thugs during pre-election raids. Firearms and other dangerous weapons were also recovered from the suspects.
The Edo State Police Command has intensified its operations across the state to ensure a peaceful and credible election process.
The force has urged the public to report any suspicious activity as the governorship election continues.
Authorities have vowed to prosecute all those found guilty of electoral offences to deter future occurrences and maintain the integrity of the electoral process.
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