An unidentified Police Inspector was on Thursday arrested at a hotel in Ewet Housing Estate, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, for aiding some people to paint a fake Police patrol vehicle for use by politicians in Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections.
The PUNCH learnt that two of the vehicles (Volvo V70), which was one of the types procured by the state government for the Command of the Nigeria Police Force, were brand new cars ostensibly bought for the purpose of aiding electoral fraud.
A source, who was privy to the development, disclosed that the Police intercepted the thugs and the policeman at the hotel while they were branding the vehicles.
He said, “There was information that some men suspected to be political thugs working for a political party were branding the type of Volvo V70 which the state government donated to the Police.
“The rebranding was being done ahead of Saturday’s elections.
“The vehicles already had the siren installed and the Police inscription also on it, as well as the identification numbers.
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“When the Police got to the hotel, the suspects had already relocated one of the vehicles, while the second vehicle was being branded with the assistance of the Police Inspector.
“He (the Inspector) was taken to the Police Station and the vehicle was recovered.
“The Police suspect was taken to the station for investigation and he has made useful statements.
“He mentioned some persons who engaged him in the services he was rendering.
“Investigation is ongoing. The Inspector is serving in one of the intelligence departments in the Akwa Ibom State Police Command.”
When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Odiko MacDon, said he had yet to be briefed on the development.
He, however, added that if the development was true, the law would take its course.
“I have not yet got briefing on that, but if it is true, the law will take its course,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Police said they had arrested one Felix Akpan and Friday Udo of Ikot-Akpan village in Ibesikpo-Asutan Local Government Area and recovered one locally made barrel, two single barrel and 30 cartridges.
“They are currently facing interrogation in one of the departments in the state Command,” the source added.
Source: Punch
