Anambra state police command Saturday announced the abduction of a presiding officer and a youth corps member during the presidential and National Assembly elections by unknown persons in the state.
As a result, seven suspects have been arrested by the command including two armed police personnel on illegal duty during the elections.
Briefing reporters Saturday evening in Awka, Anambra state, the new police Commissioner for the elections, Rabiu Ladodo, said the cases were under investigations
He said the seven suspects were arrested for ballot box snatching, destruction of elections and vote buying, which took place at Onuma Imeobi square ward six unit 4 in Onitsha.
He also said the youth corps member and the presiding officer were abducted in ndiokolo unit, Orumba North local government area of the state in Anambra South senatorial zone.
Ladodo, said efforts were being intensified by the command to rescue the two victims.
According to him, “I have gone round the State along with heads of other security agencies both on Aerial and Vehicular patrols, in order to assess levels of deployment by the security agencies at various polling units and to ensure that the electorates exercise their franchise without hindrance.
“The election is generally peaceful and all the places visited have witnessed significant turnout of voters amid tight security in the areas”
“However, despite the relative peace recorded so far, there are few isolated incidents recorded such as ballot box snatching at Onuma imeobi Square ward six unit 4 Onitsha, vote buying, disruption of election in some polling units, alleged abduction of a presiding officer and a youth corper in Indiokolo unit, Orumba North LGA of Anambra South Senatorial Zone”
“Consequently, the Command has arrested Seven (7) suspects in connection with vote buying and disruption of electoral Process. The Command equality arrested two (2) armed Police mobile personnel on illegal duty. All cases are under investigation at the State CIID, Awka and effort is being intensified to rescue the abducted persons and bring perpetrators to justice”
He said exhibits recovered from the suspects included, One mini shuttle bus, two Motorcycles, Sum of One hundred and ten thousand nine hundred and twenty naira (#110,920),two handbags containing dry leaves suspected to be Indian hemp and two knives.
“The public are equally advised to report any incident or suspected persons through the Police emergency numbers availed to the public for prompt response, please,” the new CP said.
NATION
