3,600 Ballot Boxes Intercepted In Ogun State

3,600 Ballot Boxes Intercepted In Ogun State
No fewer than 3,600 ballot boxes meant for the forthcoming general elections were reportedly intercepted in Odogbolu in Ogun State by soldiers from the 35 Artillery Army Brigade, Alamala, Abeokuta.
According to the Nation newspaper report online, the ballot boxes packed inside a truck was intercepted during a stop and search operation by the soldiers.
It was gathered that the suspected truck was coming from Lagos and allegedly ferrying the boxes to Akwa -Ibom State when the soldiers sighted and fanned it down and upon searching, it was discovered that the questionable boxes were inside.

It was learnt that the soldiers arrested the driver of the truck and took him to Igbeba (Ijebu – Ode) Area Command of the Nigeria Police Force along with the truck when they ould not be convinced about the legality of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s ballot boxes being conveyed by the driver.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, while confirming the development, informed that the ballot boxes are in their custody.
According to the police spokesman, the ballot boxes were meant for INEC Office in Akwa Ibom.
Adejobi said: “Around 8am on Tuesday, a team of the soldiers (OP MESA) attached to the 35 Artillery Brigade, Alamala, Alamala, Abeokuta who were on stop-and-search operation around the Odogbolu (Ogun State) area of the Sagamu – Benin expressway, intercepted a vehicle containing about 3, 600 ballot boxes.
“Upon interception, when they could not ascertain the authenticity of the ballot boxes, they handed them over to the police at Ijebu Ode area Command. Police thereafter commenced investigation into the matter
“We have the 3, 600 ballot boxes belonging to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Information we have about the consignment as I am talking with you is that some INEC officials have called and some officials from Wharf have also confirmed that the consignment belongs to INEC and are meant to be delivered at INEC office in Akwa Ibom.”
Meanwhile, it was also gathered that some powerful Nigerians may be behind the movement of the suspected electoral materials believed to have been imported from abroad ahead of next month’s elections.

It would be recalled that tension swept through Bauchi State political space last month following the interception of a truck load of 1550 ballot boxes expected to be used in next year’s elections.

According to The Nation newspaper report online, transparent white empty ballot boxes were intercepted by state security operatives on the Darazo -Dukku road, 110 kilometres from Bauchi state capital.
Sources: Naij.com news, The Nation