DEFENCE
Vote Buying: NGO Recommends use of Body Cameras, Mobile Courts

Ahead of 2023 general elections, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Good Governance Awareness Initiative (GGAI), has recommended the use of body cameras by security personnel on Election Day to curb the incident of vote buying in the country.
The NGO also advised the Federal Government to set up mobile courts in the 774 local government areas across the country to prosecute vote buying on election day.
The Executive Director, Ms Maureen Onwukwe, stated this in Abuja on Monday at a news briefing and public presentation of a research survey titled: “Why People Sell and Buy Votes in Nigeria”.
Onwukwe, who described election as an integral part of every democracy, added that the problem of “vote buying and selling” presented a fresh danger to the integrity and reliability of elections in Nigeria.
She added that this must be addressed accordingly to give way to the dividend of democracy in the country.
“We are all aware that elections in the country were marred over the years through ballot stuffing and snatching and various degrees of electoral violence.
“However, the technological innovations that was introduced by INEC and the Electoral Act 2022 makes it extremely impossible for political parties to rig election.
“This has made politicians devised another means to manipulate the supposed decision of electorate through inducing them with money to sell their votes.
“Vote buying and selling has become eminent in every recent election, which has hampered the quality and integrity of office holders.
“These problems and many more necessitated this research to underscore the political, social and economic aspect of vote buying and selling,” she said
Onwukwe said that in conducting the research, 1,000 responses were received from potential voters through online and traditional questionnaire system.
She said that 54 per cent of the respondents said that the security agencies were not proactive in curbing vote trading takes, 44 per cent linked vote buying to poverty.
She added that 35 per cent said that threats by political parties forced them to sell out their votes, while 21 per cent said they had lost interest in the electoral process as they believe that their votes would not count.
“The research noted that, it is outside INEC purview to end poverty. However, it is within INEC’s right to protect the integrity of the voting process.
“Thus, the survey recommends that the electoral body takes proactive measures to stop the commercialisation of vote buying.
“Purchasing body cams for police officers at polling units and setting up of mobile courts in the 774 local government of the federation to expedite the prosecution of vote buyers and sellers will help.
“There should also be stiffer penalties for both vote sellers and buyers,” she added.
The executive director further explained that the research has unveiled that electorates are not aware that vote selling constituted an electoral offence.
“Funny enough, 55 per cent of the respondent said that they are not aware that vote selling is an electoral offence.
“This was evident during the just concluded Osun Gubernatorial election, as voters took to social media to brag on selling their votes.
“I think INEC and CSOs should intensify electoral law awareness. People need to know the consequences of selling their votes.
Onwukwe urged INEC to also take proactive measures in promoting the secrecy of voter choice, adding that voting point lack adequate secrecy measures, because vote buyers are able to monitors the choice of voters.
She added that the centre had commenced initiatives to sensitise various electoral stakeholders with programmes that would specifically focus on 10 millions market women and youths.
The Chairman, GGAI, Prof. Charles Nwekealu, in his remarks said since Nigeria independent in 1960, leadership had been one of the challenges facing the country.
Nwekealu said that because Nigeria elections had been characterised with rigging, ballot snatching and violence, the country had not been able to elect the kind of leadership it deserved.
This, according to him, made Nigeria to embark on a number of reforms to ensure that the country has a good electoral system that would lead to electing good leadership.
“Leadership will determined the rise or fall of any country, any country that is lucky to have a dynamic leadership, there is no limit to the demands of that country.
“We believe that this research will help in improving the outcome of the scheduled 2023 general elections in Nigeria,” he said.
Also speaking, Mr Femi Gold, the Chief Superintendent Public Enlightenment and Education Department, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) described sensitisation as key in addressing the menace of vote buying.
Gold commended the NGO for the research aimed at addressing vote buying in the country, said that ICPC was already working with some NGOs on vote buying.
He said ICPC was working to expand its partnership with more NGOs including GGAI to extend voters education to all states across the Federation ahead of 2023 general elections.
“What we need is sensitisation. Even the issue of corruption, sensitisation is key. We believe in the power of information.
“Information helps in prevention and it is cheaper. Just as you just heard, some people don’t even know that vote selling is an offence. Hence the need for sensitisation,” he said.
Mr Aleshinloye Farouk, the Programme and Research Manager, GGAI, said the survey revealed that people sell their votes because of poverty.
He said some believed that the money was national cake that needed to be shared.
According to him, the use of body cameras on election day is doable since Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) officers use them and it helps during prosecution.(NAN)
CRIME
Police Arrest 53 Suspects over Benue, Plateau Killings – IGP

By David Torough, Abuja
Barely one weekend after President Bola Tinubu’s directives to immediately fish out the perpetrators of the Yelewata massacre in Benue state, the Inspector-general of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun has confirmed the arrest of 26 suspects for their alleged involvement in the recent massacre at Yelewata community of Guma local government area in Benue State.
Egbetokun said in the attack, 47 villagers were killed, two attackers were killed by the police and over 100 others were displaced.
He disclosed this during a press briefing at the Force Headquarters yesterday in Abuja.
Egbetokun said the majority of the suspects were arrested on June 22.
Relatedly, the IGP also revealed that 22 suspects have been arrested for killing 12 travellers in Plateau State, while five persons have been arrested for killing two people in Benue State this week.
The arrests were coming barely a week after President Bola Tinubu directed the immediate arrest of the killer-herders who perpetrated the heinous killing of over 100 people in Yelewata community in Benue State.
Tinubu gave the directive while addressing stakeholders at the Government House, Markudi, during a visit to the State.
The meeting included the Secretary to the Federal Government, George Akume, Traditional Rulers and former governors of the state among others.
Tinubu had called out the Inspector General of Police to know why arrests had not been made at the time.
“How come no one has been arrested for committing this heinous crime in Yelewata. Inspector General of Police, where are the arrests? The criminals must be arrested immediately,” President Tinubu directed.
He urged the heads of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) to intensify surveillance and gather actionable intelligence to apprehend the perpetrators.
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DEFENCE
Malete Imposes Nighttime Restrictions to Curb Robbery Attacks on KWASU Students

From Abdullahi Abubakar, Ilorin
In a move to stem the tide of rising robbery attacks targeting students in Malete, authorities have imposed a series of restrictions on movement and nighttime activities within the university host community.
The resolution was reached at a stakeholders’ meeting convened by the management of Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, on Monday with the agreement of all key stakeholders, including the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Shaykh-Luqman Alade Jimoh, members of the University’s extended management team, the Chairperson of Moro Local Government Council, traditional leaders, security agencies, the alumni association, and the Student Union body.
As part of the new security measures Motorcycle operations are now restricted from 10:00PM, all commercial activities and general movement must cease by 11:00PM while generator sets are to be switched off by midnight and night parties banned outright.
The stakeholders also agreed on the formation of a Joint Security Committee, comprising representatives from the University, Malete community, Students Union, and security agencies.
In addition, all private hostels in the community are mandated to engage security personnel, while trained vigilantes will be employed to support formal security efforts.
Speaking at the meeting, Vice-Chancellor Professor Shaykh-Luqman Jimoh reiterated the University’s unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all students.
Chairperson of Moro Local Government Council, Hajia Mariam Abdulwasiu, disclosed that the Council would initiate the legal framework to enact a bye-law formalizing the agreed restrictions.
She also announced the deployment of 10 additional vigilantes equipped with necessary security tools to bolster the area’s night patrol.
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DEFENCE
Troops Arrest Eight Kidnap Suspects, Rescue Others in Kwara

From Abdullahi Abubakar, Ilorin
Troops of the 22 Armoured Brigade, stationed at the Forward Operating Base in Patigi, Kwara State, have arrested eight kidnap suspects and rescued two victims from captivity. The operation, carried out on Saturday, June 21, 2025, was the result of a tactical strike based on credible intelligence, according to the Nigerian Army.
The operation targeted a known hideout on the outskirts of Latandaji Village in Patigi Local Government Area of the State.
Acting on credible intelligence, the troops launched a swift and coordinated assault, catching the suspected criminals off guard. The successful rescue underscores the military’s ongoing efforts to dismantle kidnapping syndicates in the region.In a statement issued on Sunday by Lieutenant Stephen Nwankwo, Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for the 22 Brigade, the suspects attempted to resist the troops but were quickly overpowered by superior firepower. “During the engagement, troops encountered mild resistance but swiftly subdued the criminals,” Lt. Nwankwo stated.
The operation led to the safe rescue of two kidnap victims, identified as Mr. Amos Moses and Mr. Philip Michael. Both individuals were found unharmed and have since been reunited with their families. Their rescue brought relief to the local community, which has grappled with a rise in cases of abduction in recent months.
During the operation, one individual, identified as Mohammed Mohammed, sustained gunshot wounds in the crossfire. He was promptly evacuated to Bachita Teaching Hospital, where he is currently receiving treatment. His role in the incident, whether as a suspect or otherwise, has not been officially clarified.
Military personnel also recovered two motorcycles and two expended cartridges from the scene, items believed to have been used by the kidnappers during their operations. The recovered materials are currently in the custody of the military and will aid ongoing investigations.
All eight suspects are now in military custody pending preliminary investigations. Lt. Nwankwo confirmed that they will be handed over to the appropriate security agencies for further interrogation and prosecution in accordance with the law.
Reaffirming its commitment to regional security, the Nigerian Army assured residents of Patigi and its environs that operations will continue to root out criminal elements, urging the public to continue supporting security efforts with timely information. The Kwara North senatorial district has, in recent months, witnessed a wave of terrorism and banditry with the presence of “Mahmuda”, believed to be a splinter group from Boko Haram around Kiama and Baruten Local Government Areas of the state, around Kainji National Park. The public outcry over the havoc being wreaked necessitated the visit of the Chief of Army staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, on the 22nd of April, 2025, to rally the troops of 22 Armoured Brigade Sobi, Ilorin. The visit has yielded positive results, as the criminals have since the operation got under way.