By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
The Department of State Services (DSS) has reportedly arrested one Shehu Fatange with about ₦30 million allegedly earmarked for vote-buying ahead of Saturday’s bye-elections in Kaduna State.
Fatange, suspected to be a People’s Democratic Party (PDP) agent, was picked up on Friday evening at a hotel in Kaduna metropolis. He was said to be coordinating the distribution of funds allegedly meant to influence voters in the Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency election.
Reliable security sources confirmed that the suspect was caught with cash running into tens of millions of naira, allegedly intended to compromise the integrity of the polls.
The Kaduna State Police Command also confirmed the arrest through its spokesman, DSP Mansir Hassan, in a telephone interview. He said the suspect was in custody and under investigation but declined to provide further details, noting that security agencies were working together to ensure free, fair, and credible elections.
Fatange’s arrest comes amid rising tension and accusations of attempts by political actors to manipulate the bye-elections in Chikun/Kajuru, Zaria, and Sabon-Gari constituencies.
Both the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and opposition parties, including the PDP, ADC, and SDP, had traded accusations of planned vote-buying, thuggery, and attempts to compromise electoral officials ahead of the polls.
As of the time of filing this report, details of the DSS operation and the exact circumstances of Fatange’s arrest remained sketchy.
Security operatives, however, assured that investigations were ongoing and urged the public to remain calm and turn out peacefully to exercise their franchise on Saturday.
Meanwhile, some opposition supporters across the state have described the arrest as politically motivated, alleging that it was aimed at intimidating their party ahead of the bye-elections.
