TheCable

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says its operatives have been attacked in Kaduna.

The governorship and state houses of assembly elections are being held across the country.

In a statement on Saturday by Wilson Uwujaren, EFCC spokesperson, the commission said the operatives came under attack at school road in Unguwan Rimi, Kaduna, while attempting to arrest a suspected vote buyer identified as Kabiru Musa.

Uwujaren said the suspect was seen in a video inducing voters by using his phone to transfer money into their accounts after they cast their votes.

“Immediately he was accosted by the operatives, Musa became unruly and screamed to attract the attention of his syndicate members, who descended on the operatives, using all manner of weapons that left some of them injured. It took great restraints for the operatives to ignore the unprovoked attack but insisted on arresting the suspect,” the statement reads.

“As the team drove away with the suspect, their vehicle was pelted with stones and other dangerous objects that damaged the windshield and three operatives suffered varying degrees of injuries in the process.

“The injured operatives are currently receiving medical attention at the Medical Centre of the Kaduna Zonal Command, while the suspect is in custody, pending conclusion of the investigation.

“It will be recalled that EFCC teams were similarly attacked during the presidential and national assembly elections, leaving some of its vehicles badly damaged.”

Reacting to the incident, Abdulrasheed Bawa, EFCC chairperson, commended the operatives for exercising restraint under extreme provocation.

He, however, appealed to the public to desist from attacking officers of the commission as it would no longer be tolerated.

See video below.

VIDEO: @officialEFCC operatives attacked in Kaduna during arrest of suspected vote buyer pic.twitter.com/ugzmWcdBdT

— TheCable (@thecableng) March 18, 2023