Security operatives across Nigeria intensified their crackdown on electoral malpractice during Saturday’s bye-elections, making multiple arrests in Kaduna, Ogun, and Kano states. The incidents underscored the recurring challenge of vote buying, electoral manipulation, and political thuggery that have long threatened the credibility of polls in the country.
In Kaduna, security operatives intercepted a large sum of cash allegedly intended for vote buying. The suspect, identified as Shehu Aliyu Patangi, was arrested around 3:30 a.m. at a hotel along Turunku Road in Kaduna metropolis. He was caught with ₦25,963,000 in cash, which police said was meant to influence voters during the exercise.
The Kaduna State Police Command confirmed the arrest through its spokesperson, DSP Mansir Hassan, who quoted Commissioner of Police, CP Rabiu Muhammad. “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 tolerate electoral offences, adding: “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.”
In Ogun State, two officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were arrested during the by-election for the Ikenne/Sagamu/Remo North federal Constituency. Police spokesperson Omolola Odutola explained that a Mitsubishi Spacewagon with registration number LAGOS AKD 887 HT was intercepted by a patrol team in Iperu Remo at about 12:45 a.m. on Saturday. Inside were three occupants, including INEC officials Mr. Toryem Joe-Stans and Ms. Mandara Aminat, as well as their driver.
Odutola explained that officers discovered ₦2.5 million inside the vehicle during the search. She said: “A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of cash sum of two million five hundred thousand naira (₦2,500,000.00) from Mr. Joe-Stans Toryem. During interrogation, he admitted that the cash had been handed to him at a hotel in Iperu, Ogun State, from a man he referred to as ‘Political Solution’, acting on the instructions of his supervisor.”
Meanwhile in Kano State, security agencies focused on curbing violence and intimidation. The Police Command announced the arrest of 288 suspected political thugs and their alleged sponsors during the bye-elections. Spokesperson SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa disclosed that the suspects were armed with dangerous weapons. He said the suspects were apprehended with weapons, including a pump-action rifle, locally-made guns, knives, bow and arrow, catapult and cutlasses.
According to the police, investigations are ongoing and anyone found culpable will be prosecuted.
Beyond the immediate arrests, the clampdowns point to broader issues of electoral credibility in Nigeria. Vote buying, compromise of election officials, and the use of thugs have remained persistent problems during elections, despite repeated warnings by authorities and campaigns by civil society groups.
