Security Operatives Arrest Suspected Vote Buyer With ₦25.9 Million Cash in Kaduna Ahead of Bye-Elections

By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News

Security operatives in Kaduna State have recorded a major breakthrough in the fight against electoral malpractice after apprehending a suspected vote buyer with a staggering sum of ₦25,963,000 in cash just hours before the commencement of Saturday’s bye-elections.

The suspect, identified as Shehu Aliyu Patangi, was arrested at about 3:30 a.m. at a popular hotel along Turunku Road in Kaduna metropolis, in a joint operation carried out by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS).

Arrest and Interrogation

Confirming the arrest, the spokesman of the Kaduna State Police Command, DSP Mansir Hassan, disclosed that preliminary investigations revealed the money was earmarked to compromise the integrity of the electoral process by inducing voters.

According to Hassan, the suspect confessed during interrogation that the funds were indeed intended for voter inducement and reportedly pleaded with security operatives for leniency. The discovery, he said, underscores the determination of law enforcement agencies to curb electoral malpractice and ensure that citizens are allowed to vote freely without coercion or financial manipulation.

CP Vows Zero Tolerance for Electoral Malpractice

Quoting the Commissioner of Police in Kaduna, CP Rabiu Muhammad, the Command emphasised that the police would not hesitate to clamp down on anyone or group attempting to undermine the credibility of the polls.

“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 CP warned.

The Commissioner further cautioned political actors and their supporters to steer clear of violence, thuggery, or any acts capable of destabilising the electoral atmosphere, stressing that credible intelligence suggested plans by some politicians to instigate unrest during the bye-elections.

Security on High Alert

In light of the arrest, security agencies in Kaduna have stepped up surveillance and tightened operations around polling units, collation centres, and flashpoint areas notorious for electoral violence. The police and DSS have assured residents that robust measures have been put in place to forestall vote buying, ballot snatching, and voter intimidation.

The Command also appealed to members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities capable of jeopardising the elections. Citizens were urged to exercise their civic duty responsibly and avoid being lured into criminal acts by financial inducements.

Broader Implications for Electoral Integrity

The arrest of Shehu Aliyu Patangi has been described by observers as a significant test of the commitment of security agencies to stamp out electoral malpractice. Vote buying has long plagued Nigeria’s democratic process, eroding public trust and undermining the legitimacy of elections.

Civil society organisations and election observers have consistently called for stronger enforcement of anti-corruption and electoral laws, alongside stiffer penalties for offenders. Saturday’s incident in Kaduna is now being seen as a critical example of proactive enforcement that may serve as a deterrent to others.

As the bye-elections proceed, the Kaduna State Police Command has reassured residents of its unwavering commitment to safeguarding democracy and ensuring that votes cast reflect the genuine will of the people. The arrest of a suspected vote buyer with nearly ₦26 million in cash is a stark reminder that attempts to subvert Nigeria’s democratic process will be met with swift and decisive action.

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