The Nigerian Police announced on Tuesday that six individuals were arrested during the Edo governorship election held on Saturday, September 21. They also recovered BIVAS machines, which were either stolen or illegally obtained.
Deputy Inspector General of Police Frank Mba, who oversaw the election, made the announcement during a press briefing in Benin City. He noted that additional arrests are expected as investigations continue, stating, “We expect this number to increase because there will be accomplices who aided and abetted these suspects.”
Mba reported the recovery of four different firearms and live ammunition during the operation, as well as 58 voter cards found in the possession of a suspect. “This is a summary of our arrests and recoveries, but we anticipate that as we delve deeper into our investigation, we will identify more individuals involved,” he added.
He explained that the police had implemented election security measures, including extensive patrols across the state. “Now that the elections are over, we have activated our post-election strategies, which include high-visibility policing and confidence-building patrols,” he said.
Mba encouraged the people of Edo State to maintain their peaceful behavior, praising them for their conduct before and during the election. He stated, “I want to appreciate the good people of Edo for the commendable manner in which they conducted themselves throughout the election.”
He also expressed gratitude to the police officers, armed forces, and other law enforcement agencies for their support, highlighting that there were no recorded incidents of violence, kidnapping, or assault during the election. “The election was free of violence. Citizens were able to vote with minimal incidents,” he noted.
Mba reassured citizens that they have nothing to fear as they continue to follow the law. He added that security measures would be strengthened on highways to ensure safe travels for those returning home after voting.
He concluded by thanking the media for their support in communicating with the public during the election, noting their role in providing real-time feedback and information.
