The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reported that its officials were attacked while monitoring the ongoing presidential and national assembly elections on Saturday, February 25th, 2023 in Imo and Abuja.
In a thread of tweets on its official Twitter handle, the anti-graft agency disclosed details of the incidents.
According to the EFCC, the first attack occurred near Chief’s palace in Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory. The officials had arrested a man for allegedly coordinating a well-planned vote-buying scheme at Science Primary School polling unit in Bwari.
The suspect, said to be about 30 years old, was in possession of a list of beneficiaries he had already paid through an online banking app.
While moving the suspect from the polling unit, the officials were attacked by political thugs who smashed the windshield of the Commission’s patrol van.
The officials responded by releasing warning shots before the thugs fled the scene. The incident was reported at the Bwari Police Station.
In a similar incident, EFCC officials monitoring Unit 001, Mann Primary School, behind Chorobim junction, were shot at by unknown persons in two black Prado SUVs and one white Hilux outside the polling unit suspected to be buying votes.
The officials responded by forcing the attackers to flee the scene. The incident was reported to DCP Operations, Haruna Femi, at the Imo State Police Command.
The EFCC, in its statement, condemned the attacks, stating that they were targeted at frustrating its efforts to monitor the electoral process and prevent electoral malpractices such as vote buying.
The Commission also called on security agencies to provide adequate protection for its officials and other election observers across the country.
“These attacks on our officials are unacceptable and must be condemned by all well-meaning Nigerians. We will not be deterred in our efforts to monitor the elections and bring perpetrators of electoral malpractices to justice,” the EFCC said.
