The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested a man with about N25.9million cash in Kaduna, allegedly meant for vote-buying in the state’s by-election on Saturday.
Mansir Hassan, spokesperson of the state police command, said the arrest was made in collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS).
Hassan said the suspect, identified as Shehu Aliyu Patangi, was arrested at about 3:30am at a hotel along Turunku Road in Kaduna metropolis.
The police command PRO noted that the cash totalling N25,963,000 was recovered from Patangi and is believed to have been set aside to induce voters during the polls.
“At about 0330hrs today, we arrested one Shehu Aliyu Patangi at a popular hotel located along Turunku Road in Kaduna metropolis,” the statement reads.
“We recovered a total cash sum of twenty-five million, nine hundred and sixty-three thousand naira (₦25,963,000) from the suspect; the money is believed to have been earmarked for inducing voters to compromise the electoral process.”
“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 in Kaduna, Rabiu Muhammad, commended the DSS for the synergy and quick intervention that led to the arrest.
Muhammad warned that anyone who attempts to undermine the electoral process, “regardless of status”, would face the full weight of the law.
