Police said the suspect allegedly set the money aside to influence voters in the Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency poll.
By Kehinde Okeowo
A People’s Democratic Party (PDP) agent identified as Shehu Aliyu Patangi, has been arrested with N25.9 million allegedly meant for vote-buying in Saturday’s by-elections in the state.
The incident was confirmed by the spokesman of the Kaduna Police Command, DSP Mansir Hassan on Saturday.
According to him, police and the Department of State Services (DSS) in a joint operation with other security agencies apprehended Patangi around 3:30 a.m. at a hotel along Turunku Road in Kaduna metropolis.
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He added that the suspect admitted during interrogation that the funds were intended for voter inducement and pleaded for leniency.
The money, according to Hassan, was allegedly set aside to influence voters in the Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency poll.
He said: “In a sustained and collaborative effort by security agencies to ensure that the forthcoming by-elections in Kaduna State are conducted peacefully and without interference from criminal elements, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force in conjunction with the Department of State Services (DSS) have successfully apprehended vote buyer in Kaduna.”
He added that the Commissioner of Police, CP Rabiu Muhammad, commended the collaboration among security agencies and warned that anyone caught attempting to compromise the election would be prosecuted, regardless of political affiliation.
