Guber Polls: EFCC Seizes N11 Million, Apprehends Vote Buyers

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have apprehended 14 suspected vote buyers in Otueke, Adawari playgrounds in Bayelsa and at various polling units in Imo and Kogi.

EFCC Spokesperson, Dele Oyewale announced the development in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.

He said that the suspects were arrested on Saturday in intelligence-driven operations that commenced several days before the ongoing governorship elections in the three states.

“Also, a total sum of N11,040,000, comprising ₦9,310,00 intercepted from suspected vote buyers and sellers in Bayelsa, and ₦1,730,000 intercepted from electoral fraud suspects across Imo State, were recovered from them.

“Also, two vehicles were intercepted from the suspects. They will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded,” he said.

Hoodlums Attack INEC Official, NYSC Member, Cart Away Original Result Sheets In Bayelsa

Meanwhile, the off-cycle governorship election in Bayelsa State was marred with violence as some hoodlums reportedly attacked some ad-hoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member.

Reports obtained by Naija News claimed that the criminal activity was perpetrated by suspected thugs.The election materials, including the BVAS for Ward 1, Unit 23 in Onopa, Yenagoa Local Government Area, were stolen by the thugs.

Also, the armed thugs took the bag and other belongings of corps members involved in the election work.

Daily Post quoted an agent of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to have confirmed the incident and mentioned that the collation and sorting of votes were underway when the armed thugs stormed the unit.

Fortunately, no one was injured during the incident.

In another part of the state, specifically at Ward 11 of Opume and Emakalakala in the Ogbia Local Government area, alleged thugs disrupted the election process by targeting polling units 14, 15, and 19.

However, Naija News learnt that some results had already been recorded before the disruption occurred.

Similarly, at Ward 3 in the Olodiama community of the Southern Ijaw Local Government area, armed thugs carted away the original result sheets of polling units 14,15,16,17,18 and 19.