Taraba by-election: Police arrest INEC officials, recover diverted materials

The Taraba State Police Command has arrested three officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over alleged diversion of election materials during the Karim Lamido Constituency by-election.

Security sources confirmed that the arrests were made on Saturday, at about 2:20 p.m., following intelligence provided by party agents.

The suspects were apprehended at a private residence in Angwan Sarkin Panya village.

Those arrested include Gideon Amos, 49, an Assistant Presiding Officer II assigned to Polling Unit 16, Angwan Yusuf Dogo, alongside Matthew Jayi, 47, and Tiasama Mathias Musa, 32.

They were allegedly found with election materials meant for three polling units — PU 005 Gandara, PU 016 Angwan Yusuf Dogo, and PU 029 Angwan Sarkin Primary School.

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

In the process of resisting the diversion, hoodlums reportedly attacked a police officer, PC Christian Garba, and forcibly removed his uniform before fleeing.

Authorities said voting had concluded in most polling units while collation of results was ongoing.

Investigations into the incident are continuing.