The Abia State Police Command have arrested a 47-year-old man, Chukwuemeka Nwaobilor, for allegedly being in possession of an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) voters’ registration machine without authorisation.
Nwaobilor was arrested at a football field in Mbawsi, Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area of the state.
The INEC registration machine found in his possession was said to be assigned for voters’ registration in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area.
Unconfirmed reports alleged that Nwaobilor, said to be an INEC staff member working in Isiala Ngwa South, was acting in collaboration with unnamed politicians from the Isiala Ngwa North and South Federal Constituency.
He was reportedly apprehended following a tip-off by police personnel from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Isiala Ngwa North Division, alongside the Divisional Police Officer and the Mayor of Isiala Ngwa Local Government Area.
After his arrest, Nwaobilor was said to have been taken to the Abia State Police Command Headquarters for further investigation.
A staff member of INEC in Abia State, Victor Abraham, confirmed the arrest during a telephone interview.
Abraham said the commission’s management was still meeting to verify the identity and status of the suspect.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Maureen Chinaka, also confirmed the arrest.
She said the suspect was caught by officers from the Isiala Ngwa Divisional Headquarters acting on actionable intelligence.
According to her, Nwaobilor was allegedly conducting unauthorised voters’ registration at the Mbawsi Mini Stadium in Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area.
Chinaka said the suspect confessed to receiving ₦50,000 from a man identified as Damian to carry out the act.
She added that the INEC device had been recovered and was currently being kept at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Umuahia.
The police spokesperson said investigations were ongoing to establish further details surrounding the incident and the suspect’s actions.
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