The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has given a clarification on the arrest of a criminal syndicate engaging in electoral fraud in the federal capital territory (FCT).
It was earlier reported that suspected Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) syndicate were apprehended by the police on Tuesday in a sting operation on Ghandji street in the Maitama area of the FCT, Abuja.
The police were said to have taken the suspects into custody and are investigating the illegal possession and suspected manipulation of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in the 2023 election.
One of the suspects arrested is said to be the Vice President of an IT company known as Emperor technology.
In a statement, on Wednesday, Police force spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi disclosed that the police visited the location, and some electoral materials, including Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines, were discovered.
The police also confirmed that the occupants of the house are staff of Emperor Technology, a firm outsourced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to provide engineering services for the 2023 election and they have been released.
He said: “Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB), acting on a tip from residents of an area in Maitama who reported suspicious activities, visited the location, interviewed the occupants, and conducted a search on the house.
“In the course of the search, some electoral materials and Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines were discovered in their possession.
“However, the Independent National Electoral Commission, when contacted, confirmed that the occupants of the house are staff of Emperor Technology, outsourcing engineering services to the INEC, and they were immediately released to go about their lawful business.”
