POLICE ARREST 14 IN ANAMBRA OVER BALLOT SNATCHING, THUGGERY

POLICE ARREST 14 IN ANAMBRA OVER BALLOT SNATCHING, THUGGERY

The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a total of 14 persons in Anambra State during the presidential and National Assembly elections held February 23; over their alleged involvement in various election malpractices, ranging from ballot box snatching, disruption of elections, malicious damage and thuggery.

The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Rabiu Ladodo, gave the indication on Tuesday, February 26, during a press conference at the police headquarters in Awka.

Ladodo revealed that 2 vehicles, 2 motorcycles, 3 ballot boxes snatched from Okpoko, electoral materials such as ballot papers destroyed at Obosi and Ojoto were among incriminating items recovered from the suspects; adding that all the suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.

The police boss, however, commend Anambra voters for conducting themselves in a peaceful manner and for coming out to exercise their civic responsibilities on February 23.

“Despite some isolated cases recorded in some parts of the state where the Command responded promptly and prevented breakdown of law and order, the election was generally peaceful without recording any loss of life. This goes to confirm that Anambra State is not only a peaceful state but also the most secured in terms of safety and security”, he said.

He advised all aggrieved parties who lost in the election not to take laws into their hands or foment troubles but to explore the legal avenue in order to seek redress as stipulated by the law; stressing that the Command will not fold its arms and watch any individual or group, no matter how highly placed, disrupting the relative peace in the state which the law enforcement agencies in the state are working assiduously to maintain.