Police arrest 30 in Ogun over election violence

No fewer than 30 persons were arrested for allegedly engaging in electoral violence and vote buying during the March 18 governorship election in the Ogun State.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Frank Mba, disclosed this on Thursday.

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Mba said this while speaking with journalists during a visit to the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Abeokuta, the state capital.

He explained that the suspects were arrested in various parts of the state for unlawful possession of firearms, inducement and vote buying during the election, among other offences.

The CP also disclosed that police also recovered 12 firearms, including an English made beretta pistol, 25 live cartridges and eight expended cartridges.

According to him, 235 credit cards and customised ATM cards were also recovered from the suspects engaging in vote buying.

Mba said, “A total of 30 persons were arrested. They were arrested for various offences, ranging from unlawful possession of weapons to disorderly behaviour around polling units, conduct likely to cause breach of peace and also for offences relating to insertion of undue influence and attempt to indulge in vote buying.

“We also recovered a total of 12 firearms of different mix and shapes, most of them are locally fabricated shotguns.

“We also recovered one beretta pistol, an English made pistol. We recovered a total of 25 live cartridges and eight expended cartridges.

“We also have with us a total of 235 credit cards or ATM cards which are very customised ATM and credit cards.

He noted that investigations are ongoing and promised to keep citizens of the state updated on progress of the cases.

“You can trust us that we will certainly and surely do a good job.”

Mbah assured that the suspects would be handed over to the INEC for proper prosecution after conclusion of investigation to determine level of complicity and culpability.

“We believe that will be done very soon. You know under the new rules, prosecution is handled by INEC. At the right time, under the right directives from the office of the Inspector General of Police, these cases will naturally be transferred to INEC and we will work together with them, support them and ensure that these cases are diligently prosecuted.”