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DSS, Police arrest PDP agent with millions of naira for alleged vote-buying
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Suspect caught at hotel in Kaduna metropolis with over ₦25m cash
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Security agencies vow strict action against electoral malpractice
Security operatives in Kaduna have arrested a suspected People’s Democratic Party (PDP) agent, Shehu Fantagi, with a huge sum of money allegedly meant for vote-buying in today’s Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency bye-election.
The suspect was intercepted on Friday night at a hotel in Kaduna metropolis where he was reportedly coordinating cash distribution to sway voters. Investigators confirmed that the suspect was found with cash running into tens of millions intended to compromise the integrity of the electoral process.
The Kaduna State Police Command confirmed the arrest through its spokesman, DSP Mansir Hassan. 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.”
Providing details, Hassan added: “At about 0330hrs of today, arrested one Shehu Aliyu Patangi at a popular hotel located along Turunku Road in Kaduna metropolis and recovered a total cash sum of Twenty-Five Million, Nine Hundred and Sixty-Three Thousand Naira (₦25,963,000) from the suspects, believed to be earmarked for the purpose of inducing voters to compromise the electoral process.
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Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect had planned to use the said amount to bribe eligible voters. On interrogation the suspect confessed to the crime and pleaded for leniency.”
The Commissioner of Police, CP Rabiu Muhammad, expressed gratitude to other security agencies for the synergy that led to the arrest and warned that anyone caught attempting to subvert the electoral process would be severely dealt with.
The police command assured residents of safety and urged them to exercise their franchise peacefully without fear or intimidation.
