Security operatives in Kaduna State have apprehended a suspected vote buyer found in possession of ₦25.9 million in cash, in what authorities are calling a major breakthrough in efforts to safeguard the integrity of the ongoing electoral process.
The arrest was made during a coordinated operation led by a joint task force comprising officers from the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Acting on credible intelligence, the operatives intercepted the suspect near a polling unit in the Kaduna North Local Government Area.
According to preliminary investigations, the suspect was allegedly distributing cash incentives to voters in exchange for their support of a particular political party. Authorities believe the operation was part of a wider vote-buying scheme aimed at influencing the outcome of the election.
Speaking to reporters, Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Halima Yusuf, stated: “This arrest underscores our commitment to ensuring free, fair, and credible elections. Vote buying undermines democracy and disenfranchises the electorate. We will continue to act decisively against such criminal activities.”
The suspect is currently in custody and is assisting investigators with further inquiries. The EFCC has confirmed that financial forensic experts have been deployed to trace the origin and intended flow of the seized funds.