Police Reveal Owner Of Intercepted Ballot Boxes
Soldiers attached to 35 Artillery Brigade, Alamala in Ogun State, yesterday, intercepted a truck-load of about 3,600 ballot boxes filled with ballot papers, at Odogbolu axis of the Sagamu-Ijebu Ode Expressway.
The team of soldiers, popularly called OP MESSA, reportedly handed over the truck and the contents to the Police in Ijebu-Ode area command. Two other trucks, however escaped, reports Vanguard, citing sources.
Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the incident. He however said he only knew of one truck loaded with 3,600 ballot boxes that was intercepted.
“When the soldiers could not ascertain the authenticity of the ballot boxes, they handed them over to the Police at Ijebu-Ode Area Command to commence investigation.
“Right now, we have 3,600 ballot boxes belonging to Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
“Some top officials of INEC and at Wharf have called us to say that the consignment belongs to INEC and that the ballot boxes are meant for its INEC office at Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
“The INEC official said the contractor or agent would come to the Police headquarters with relevant documents to clarify the authenticity of the vehicle.
“The items are with us at the command, while we are waiting for the relevant documents,” Adejobi said.
Asked whether the incident could be linked to a political party, the police image maker said it was too early to say.
“It is too early for us to say that those items are illegal. With the information we have, they are INEC’s property. If we cannot see those documents to verify ownership, we will take necessary steps.”
Speaking about the whereabouts of the other trucks alleged to have escaped, Adejbi said: “I am aware of just one vehicle, which contains 3,600 ballot boxes.
“One person is in custody in connection with the vehicle and if there are other vehicles, our officers are on the road to apprehend them.
“An original document was tendered by security agents and governmental agencies, particularly INEC. All the documents with us point towards INEC as owner, but we are not relying on that,” he said.
The team of soldiers, popularly called OP MESSA, reportedly handed over the truck and the contents to the Police in Ijebu-Ode area command. Two other trucks, however escaped, reports Vanguard, citing sources.
Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the incident. He however said he only knew of one truck loaded with 3,600 ballot boxes that was intercepted.
“When the soldiers could not ascertain the authenticity of the ballot boxes, they handed them over to the Police at Ijebu-Ode Area Command to commence investigation.
“Right now, we have 3,600 ballot boxes belonging to Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
“Some top officials of INEC and at Wharf have called us to say that the consignment belongs to INEC and that the ballot boxes are meant for its INEC office at Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
“The INEC official said the contractor or agent would come to the Police headquarters with relevant documents to clarify the authenticity of the vehicle.
“The items are with us at the command, while we are waiting for the relevant documents,” Adejobi said.
Asked whether the incident could be linked to a political party, the police image maker said it was too early to say.
“It is too early for us to say that those items are illegal. With the information we have, they are INEC’s property. If we cannot see those documents to verify ownership, we will take necessary steps.”
Speaking about the whereabouts of the other trucks alleged to have escaped, Adejbi said: “I am aware of just one vehicle, which contains 3,600 ballot boxes.
“One person is in custody in connection with the vehicle and if there are other vehicles, our officers are on the road to apprehend them.
“An original document was tendered by security agents and governmental agencies, particularly INEC. All the documents with us point towards INEC as owner, but we are not relying on that,” he said.
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