Kidnappers forced to abandon ransom, arms after accident in Nasarawa

By: Zagazola Makama

Kidnappers operating around Kokona Local Government Area of Nasarawa State have abandoned a ransom and arms after their getaway vehicle was involved in an accident.

The incident occurred on Monday morning at Angwan Mayo, along Kokona axis, when the gang’s Peugeot 406 car, loaded with guns, crashed shortly after collecting ransom from their victims.

Witnesses said the kidnappers managed to escape the scene, leaving behind the money and weapons.

Troops of the Nigerian Army were swiftly deployed, securing the vehicle and recovering the abandoned items.

Security forces have intensified pursuit of the fleeing suspects.

Kidnappers forced to abandon ransom, arms after accident in Nasarawa

Police arrest INEC officials, recover election materials in Taraba by-election

By: Zagazola Makama

The Police Command in Taraba has arrested some Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials and recovered election materials allegedly diverted during the by-election for Karim Lamido I Constituency of the State House of Assembly.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that on Sunday that the arrests followed credible intelligence provided by party agents.

The sources said the incident occurred on Aug. 16 at about 2:20 p.m. when a team of policemen intercepted the suspects at a private residence in Angwan Sarkin Panya village.

Those arrested included Gideon Amos, 49, an Assistant Presiding Officer II assigned to Polling Unit 16, Angwan Yusuf Dogo, Bikwin Ward, and two others identified as Matthew Jayi, 47, and Tiasama Mathias Musa, 32.

The suspects allegedly diverted materials meant for three polling units PU 005 Gandara, PU 016 Angwan Yusuf Dogo, and PU 029 Angwan Sarkin Primary School — to the residence.

Items recovered from them included three ballot boxes, two BIVAS machines, 19 booklets and 20 pieces of ballot papers, two stamp pads with ink, one marker, and two result sheets.

The sources also disclosed that in the process of resisting the diversion, a police officer on election duty, PC Christian Garba, had his uniform forcibly removed by hoodlums who fled with it.

The sources added that voting had ended in most polling units and collation of results was in progress while investigations into the incident were ongoing.
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Police intercept 107 suspected thugs, recover arms during Kano re-run elections

By: Zagazola Makama

The Kano State Police Command says it has intercepted 107 suspected political thugs and recovered arms and dangerous weapons during the ongoing re-run and by-elections in the state.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation, conducted on Aug. 16 at about 11:00 a.m., followed credible intelligence and was carried out jointly with the military, DSS and other security services.

It was gathered that 20 vehicles conveying the suspected thugs, believed to have been imported from neighbouring states, were intercepted across the affected local government areas.

Items recovered from the suspects included four locally fabricated rifles, axes, cutlasses, daggers, swords, and sticks.

Security sources said the elections in the affected areas were marred by violence, thuggery, stuffing of thumb-printed ballot papers, threats, and intimidation of voters, as well as alleged inducement of electorates by government officials.

The sources added that operations were still ongoing to restore peace and ensure the credibility of the electoral process.

Police intercept 107 suspected thugs, recover arms during Kano re-run elections