A presiding officer and a member of the National Youth Service Corps were on Saturday abducted during the presidential and National Assembly polls in Anambra State by unknown persons.
Anambra State Commissioner of Police in charge of elections, Rabiu Ladodo, said this at a Press briefing.
While describing the poll in the state as generally peaceful, Ladodo said there were isolated cases of violence in some parts of the state.
Ladodo said, “Despite the relative peace recorded so far, there are a few isolated incidents recorded, such as ballot box snatching at Onuma imeobi Square Ward 6 Unit 4 Onitsha; vote buying, disruption of election in some polling units, alleged abduction of a presiding officer and a youth corps member in Indiokolo Unit, Orumba North LGA of Anambra South Senatorial Zone.
“Consequently, the Command has arrested seven suspects in connection with vote buying and disruption of electoral process.
“The Command also arrested two armed Police mobile personnel on illegal duty.
“All cases are under investigation at the State CIID, Awka, and effort is being intensified to rescue the abducted persons and bring perpetrators to book.”
He added that one mini shuttle bus, two motorcycle, N110,920 cash, two handbags containing dry leaves suspected to be Indian hemp and two knives were recovered from the suspects.
The CP said”I have gone round the state along with heads of other security agencies both on Aerial and Vehicular patrols, in order to assess levels of deployment by the security agencies at various polling units and to ensure that the electorate exercise their franchise without hindrance.
“The election is generally peaceful and all the places visited have witnessed significant turnout of voters amid tight security in the areas.