•••GUNMEN ATTACK OFFICERS IN ABUJA, IMO STATE
Operatives attached to the Makurdi, Benue State, of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, monitoring the presidential and national assembly polls, on Saturday arrested some suspected vote- buyers.
Head, Media and Publicity, EFCC, in a statement said the suspects include one Dr. Cletus Tyokyaa, a lecturer with the Sarwuan Tarka University (formerly known as the University of Agriculture), Makurdi, Benue State.
He said that the Don was arrested at the RCM Polling Unit in Daudu, Guma Local Government Area of the state with the sum of N306, 700 in various denominations stashed in his car.
According to Uwujaren, mother luck ran out on the suspect, when he drove to the voting centre, which was different from his polling unit and tried to run upon sighting operatives of the Commission.
“When asked about his mission at the center, Dr. Tyokyaa could not provide a coherent explanation, leading to arrest, and the search of his car revealed the money in various denominations.
“He was released after volunteering a statement to the Commission.
“The EFCC also arrested a man for alleged vote buying with N194,000 at Gidan Zakka polling unit, Goron Dutse area of Kano Municipal Local Government, Kano State.
“A party agent buying votes through bank transfers was also arrested in Abaji in the Federal Capital Territory, while two persons, Stanley Nsemo and Eno Amponsah were arrested in Calabar, Cross River State with the sum of $450 (Four Hundred and Fifty United States Dollars) and N156, 800 on suspicion of alleged votes buying.” He said.
Uwujaren said early in the day, a woman with 18 voter cards was intercepted in a sting operation at Badarwa area of Kaduna, Kaduna State.
He said the woman, one Maryam Mamman Alhaji, who is a member of the support group of one of the leading political parties, also had in her possession, a 17-page list containing names of eligible voters, their bank details and phone numbers as accredited under Badarwa/Malali Ward 01 and 08, Kaduna North Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
In another development, officials of the Commission on election monitoring teams were also attacked on Saturday in Abuja and Imo State.
EFCC spokesperson, said the officers were targeted by political thugs near the chief’s palace in Bwari Area of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.
He stated that the attack was sequel to the arrest of a man for allegedly planning a vote-buying procedure at the polling unit at Science Primary School, Bwari
According to him, the operatives arrested a middle-aged man and retrieved a list of beneficiaries he already paid some money, through a banking app.
He said while taking the suspect away from the polling unit that the thugs smashed the windshield of an official vehicle.
According to him, they took to their heels after security personnel fired warning shots, before members of the Joint Task Force, comprising the Department of State Services, DSS, and the police arrived the scene.
Also in Imo State, officers on election duty at Unit 001, Mann Primary School, behind Chorobim Junction were shot at by gun men
Uwujaren stated that the attackers were inside two black Prado SUVs and one white Hilux outside the polling unit.
According to him, they were suspected to be involved in vote buying.
He disclosed that the EFCC team exchanged gun battle with the gunmen, which forced the assailants to flee.
According to him, the incident was however, reported to DCP Operations, Haruna Femi, at the Imo State Police Command.
