Nigeria Election 2019 Polls: Police Arrest 128 for Electoral Offences

Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, Sunday confirmed the arrest of 128 persons for various electoral offences ranging from homicide-related crimes, vote trading, ballot box snatching, impersonation, malicious damage, amongst others.
The police, in a statement by its Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, said the IGP has ordered election investigation team to commence immediate discrete investigation of all security related infractions.

"...a total of one hundred and twenty-eight (128) persons were arrested across the country for

various electoral offences ranging from homicide-related crimes, vote trading, ballot box snatching, impersonation, malicious damage, amongst others; while thirty-eight (38) assorted weapons and a cache of explosives were also recovered.

"Consequently, the IGP has directed the Special Election Investigation Team (SEIT) to immediately commence discrete investigation of all security related infractions during the election and ensure that all persons found culpable are brought to book in accordance with the law," Mba said.

The IGP has however expressed deep concerns over continuous use of hateful and inflammatory comments capable of inciting Nigerians against one another, especially by politicians and their followers.

He warned that "while the Nigeria Police Force is not in the business of censoring Nigerians or abridging their constitutional rights of freedom of speech, it will not hesitate to rein in the full wrath of the law on any person(s) found wanting in this regard."

The police chief has also commended Nigerians for the massive turn-out, and the largely orderly conduct of most Nigerians in the February 23 Presidential/National Assembly Elections. He commended personnel of the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies for the sacrifices made towards the successful conduct of the elections.

"Notwithstanding a few unfortunate incidents, including loss of lives recorded during the election," the IGP hailed "the exercise as a generally successful one."

Adamu reinforced the fact that only the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is authorised by law to announce election results, warning "all those, especially the social media users, engaging in unlawful announcement and dissemination of election results to desist forthwith or be ready to face the consequences of their actions."

Meanwhile, the IGP has directed the Zonal AIGs and Command CPs to ensure adequate post-election security arrangement in their Areas of Responsibilities (AORs), with special focus on Collation Centres and other vulnerable points to ensure no breach of peace of any kind is recorded across the country.