Police arrest 6 with weapons, stolen BVAS machines in Edo election

The Nigerian Police Force has confirmed the arrest of six individuals during Saturday’s off-cycle governorship election in Edo State.

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Frank Mba, overseeing the election security, shared updates from Benin City, reporting that the suspects are currently in police custody. Four weapons, live ammunition, and 58 voters’ cards were seized, along with stolen or illegally obtained Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines.

Mba revealed that an undisclosed amount of money was also confiscated during the operation.

“We have six persons in custody from the election, with four weapons of varying types recovered. These are now under investigation, alongside the live ammunition found with the weapons,” Mba explained.

He further stated that the number of suspects may increase as investigations progress. “We expect the number of arrests to rise as we uncover accomplices,” he added.

Despite the arrests, Mba described the election as peaceful, with no incidents of violence, kidnapping, or assault reported. He commended the police and other security agencies for maintaining safety across land, air, and waterways, ensuring voters could participate with minimal disruption.

“There was no misuse of firearms, and our officers remained politically neutral, adhering strictly to the laws and guidelines governing elections. Now that the election is over, we are ramping up post-election strategies, including heightened patrols, protection of INEC and government facilities, and increased visibility to build public confidence,” Mba concluded.