The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has confirmed that its operatives were attacked in Kaduna State during the governorship and State Assembly elections held across the country.
The EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, disclosed on Saturday that the operatives came under attack at School road in Unguwan Rimi, Kaduna, while attempting to arrest a suspected vote buyer identified as Kabiru Musa.
Uwujaren further disclosed that the suspect was seen in a video inducing voters by using his phone to transfer money into their accounts after they cast their votes.
“Immediately he was accosted by the operatives, Musa became unruly and screamed to attract the attention of his syndicate members, who descended on the operatives, using all manner of weapons that left some of them injured. It took great restraints for the operatives to ignore the unprovoked attack but insisted on arresting the suspect,” the statement read.
It continued: “As the team drove away with the suspect, their vehicle was pelted with stones and other dangerous objects that damaged the windshield and three operatives suffered varying degrees of injuries in the process.
“The injured operatives are currently receiving medical attention at the Medical Centre of the Kaduna Zonal Command, while the suspect is in custody, pending conclusion of the investigation.
“It will be recalled that EFCC teams were similarly attacked during the presidential and national assembly elections, leaving some of its vehicles badly damaged.”
Reacting to the incident, Chairman of the EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa, commended the operatives for exercising restraint under extreme provocation.
He, however, appealed to the public to desist from attacking officers of the Commission vowing that it would no longer be tolerated.