Security agencies in Ogun and Kaduna States on Saturday arrested suspected vote buyers, including staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and a politician, in separate sting operations ahead of the by-elections.

In Ogun State, operatives picked up two INEC officials — a man and a woman — alongside a politician at a hotel in Iperu-Remo, Ikenne Local Government Area.

A viral video circulating on Saturday showed the officials squatting as they were interrogated by security agents, while some alleged members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were also spotted at the scene.

According to the interrogating officer, intelligence suggested that the INEC staff had earlier been contacted and given a large sum of money by party officials for vote buying during the poll.

Security operatives nab suspected vote buyer with N25.9m cash in Kaduna

Security operatives in Kaduna have arrested a suspected vote buyer in possession of N25,963,000.

This arrest occurred barely hours before the conduct of Saturday’s bye-elections in parts of the state.

The suspect, identified as Shehu Aliyu Patangi, was apprehended around 3:30 a.m. by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force in collaboration with the Department of State Services at a popular hotel along Turunku Road in Kaduna metropolis.

According to the Kaduna State Police Command, preliminary investigations revealed that the huge cash was intended to induce voters and compromise the integrity of the electoral process.

Police spokesman, DSP Mansir Hassan, confirmed the arrest, noting that the suspect had already confessed to the crime and pleaded for leniency.

He quoted the Commissioner of Police, CP Rabiu Muhammad, as saying, “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.”

The Commissioner further warned that the command would not spare anyone caught engaging in vote buying, thuggery, violence, or any illegal act aimed at subverting the polls.

Meanwhile, the Command issued a warning to political actors and their supporters to refrain from acts of violence or disruptions during the elections.

It disclosed that credible intelligence indicated plans by some politicians to instigate unrest.

In response, security agencies have deployed personnel to polling units, collation centres, and other strategic flashpoints across the state.

“The Command will deal decisively with troublemakers. Anyone, no matter how highly placed, who engages in violence, intimidation, vote buying, or thuggery will be arrested and prosecuted,” the police said in a statement.

The police also assured residents of adequate security before, during, and after the elections, urging citizens to come out and exercise their civic duty peacefully.