The NIgeria Police Force has debunked a media report of arrest of a suspect with election materials and Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines in Maitama area of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory(FCT).
Penpushing reports that the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi made the clarification in a statement in reaction to the controversial reportage which was also aired by a notable television station in the country.
The report has also been circulated in social media which has continued to spread like wildfire, stating that a top officer of technology company was arrested and helping police in investigation
Penpushing further reports that Adejobi explained that contrary to the fake report said the police has commenced investigation into the video which had gone viral,adding that the police authorities will address the matter as soon as possible
“The Nigeria Police Force wishes to debunk, in strong terms, the trending news in the media confirming the arrest of some individuals in Maitama, Abuja, with electoral materials and some Bi-Modal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) machines, by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force”, Adejobi wrote.
“We did not arrest any suspects with election materials and BIVAS machines in Maitama, Abuja. We are investigating the video that went viral, and the Force will address the matter as soon as possible”, Adejobi emphasized.
Penpushing also reports that in an update, the police spokesman explained that contrary to the report operatives of the Nigeria Police Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB), acting on a tip from residents of 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 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”, he explained.
“The Force, while urging well-meaning members of the public to discountenance the false and misconstrued narrative being spread by some sections of the media about the arrest of these individuals and their link with BVAS manipulation, charged reporters and media houses to endeavor to do due diligence and ascertain the veracity of the information on the public space before spreading such to avoid being victims of the breaking news syndrome” he added.
“Furthermore, the Nigeria Police urges all and sundry to avoid the creation and spread of misinformation and disinformation which is capable of causing disaffection between the populace and state actors more so as we are at a critical and sensitive moment in our democracy”,Adejobi stressed
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