According to Vanguard a
team of soldiers, popularly called OP MESSA, attached to 35 Artillery Brigade,
Alamala in Ogun State, yesterday, intercepted a truck-load of about 3,600 ballot
boxes at Odogbolu axis of the Sagamu-Ijebu Ode Expressway.
The soldiers reportedly
handed over the truck and the contents to the Police in Ijebu-Ode area command,
which was then reportedly taken to a special security facility in the state.
Two other trucks escaped.
It was also learned that the ballot boxes were filled with ballot papers.
Ogun State Police Public
Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the story, saying, however, he was
only aware of one truck loaded with 3,600 ballot boxes that was intercepted.
He said: “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 had 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.”
When asked whether a
particular political party had been linked with the incident, the Police
spokesperson said it would be premature to jump into conclusion on the status
of the consignment.
He said: “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.”
Responding to the allegation
that two trucks escaped. Adejobi 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.
Vanguard
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