Suspects Arrested Over Plot To Kidnap Corps Members During 2027 Polls -

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, has disclosed that some suspects have been arrested over an alleged plan by bandits to kidnap corps members during the 2027 general elections.

Amupitan made this known while speaking at Chatham House in London, where he raised concerns about security threats facing electoral workers ahead of the polls.

He explained that intelligence reports available to the commission revealed that some criminal groups were planning to intimidate, threaten and abduct ad-hoc electoral personnel, particularly members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

According to him, intelligence-led security operations resulted in the arrest of individuals suspected of masterminding the alleged plot.

He added that the suspects had been taken to court through the Department of State Services (DSS).

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The INEC chairman warned that anyone found threatening, attacking or harming election personnel would face legal consequences.

He assured that the commission would work to protect its officials and ad-hoc staff, especially corps members expected to participate in the 2027 electoral exercise.

Amupitan further revealed that INEC was strengthening its collaboration with security agencies through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) to identify and address potential security threats before the elections.

He noted that the credibility of the forthcoming polls would depend on the neutrality, professionalism and commitment of electoral personnel, particularly those working at the grassroots.

The INEC chairman also cautioned electoral officers against partisan activities and administrative misconduct, stressing that anyone found violating electoral regulations would face appropriate sanctions.