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An INEC presiding officer and a youth corp member were on Saturday abducted during the presidential and National Assembly elections by unknown persons in Anambra state.
The Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Rabiu Labodo, confirmed this to reporters. He said efforts were being made to rescue the election officials who were abducted at Ndiokoo unit, Orumba North Local Government Area of the State.
He also confirmed that seven suspects have been arrested by the command including two armed police personnel on illegal duty during the elections.
He explained that the seven suspects were arrested for ballot box snatching, destruction of elections and vote buying, which took place at Onuma imeobi square ward six unit 4 in Onitsha.
According to the police boss, exhibits recovered from the suspects include one mini shuttle bus, two motorcycles, the sum of N110,920, two handbags containing dry leaves suspected to be Indian hemp and two knives.
His words: “Despite the relative peace recorded so far, there are few isolated incidents recorded such as ballot box snatching at Onuma imeobi Square ward Six unit 4 Onitsha, vote buying, disruption of election in some polling units, alleged abduction of a presiding officer and a youth corper in Indiokolo unit, Orumba North LGA of Anambra South Senatorial Zone”
“Consequently, the Command has arrested Seven (7) suspects in connection with vote buying and disruption of electoral Process.The Command equality arrested two (2) armed Police mobile personnel on illegal duty. All cases are under investigation at the State CIID, Awka and effort is being intensified to rescue the abducted persons and bring perpetrators to justice”