Personnel of the Abia State Command of the Nigerian Police Force have arrested a 47-year-old man, identified as Chukwuemeka Nwaobilor, for having the voters’ registration machine of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Nwaobilor was arrested at a football field in Mbawsi, Isiala Ngwa North local government area of the state, with an INEC registration machine that was meant for the registration of voters in Isiala Ngwa South local government area.

Unconfirmed reports noted that Nwaobilor, a staff member of INEC who works in Isiala Ngwa South, was alleged to be working with yet-to-be-named politicians from the same Isiala Ngwa North and South federal constituency.

Our correspondent reports that the Nwaobilor was apprehended by the police personnel from the Criminal and Investigation Department (CID), Isiala Ngwa North Division, in conjunction with the Divisional officer and the Mayor of Isiala Ngwa LGA, through a tip-off.

He was said to have been whisked off to the Abia State Police Command Headquarters shortly after his arrest for further investigation.

When contacted, a staff member of the INEC in Abia State, Mr. Victor Abraham, in a telephone interview, confirmed the arrest, but said that the management was meeting to verify the identity of the suspect.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Maureen Chinaka, in a telephone interview, said, “He was caught by Police officers from Isiala Ngwa Divisional Headquarters who were acting through actionable intelligence, while he was conducting unauthorized INEC voters’ registration at Mbawsi mini stadium in Isiala Ngwa North local government area of the state.

“He confessed to being paid the sum of ₦50,000 by one Damian to carry out the act. The INEC device was recovered from him and is currently being detained at the State Criminal Department (SCID) in Umuahia, the state capital.”

Chinaka said that the investigation into the matter is ongoing to unveil details of the suspect and his actions. (The Nation)