Benin City, Nigeria – In a bold move to preserve the integrity of the ongoing Edo State gubernatorial election, police operatives have arrested multiple suspects involved in electoral malpractices. According to a statement signed by Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Force Public Relations Officer, synchronized raids were conducted on Saturday at various black spots, leading to the arrest of Emotingham Godspower (25) and Farawei Isaac (27), both from the Ufunama community in Ovia South West LGA.
The Bureau Newspaper reported that party agents from both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were found in possession of pre-filled result sheets and ballot papers. These fake documents, which were intended to be smuggled into the official election results, were discovered during the police’s swift operations at several polling units across the state.
The suspects were linked to a broader criminal network involving a figure known as “Atiku” and a kingpin referred to as “the boss.” They were apprehended at So Cash Guest House in Ekpoma, where law enforcement recovered substantial evidence, including large sums of cash, lists of voters’ names with corresponding bribe amounts, pre-filled ballot papers, and fake identification cards.
In another raid, six additional suspects, including Suleiman Abdurahim, Fatima Yakubu, Yusuf Aminat (52), Salihu Lukman (54), and Safianu Saratu (32), were arrested near Aibotse Secondary School, close to Meremu Hotel in Auchi, for engaging in vote-buying schemes. This group was caught with a large amount of money, weapons, and detailed plans outlining their strategies to intimidate voters and manipulate the election outcome.
Furthermore, the police also detained a fake journalist, who posed as a staff member of a prominent Nigerian television station, further exposing the extent of the criminal activities aimed at influencing the election.
As investigations continue, the police are committed to ensuring that the election process remains fair and credible, despite attempts by various parties to compromise its outcome.
