Police Recover 5 Card Readers, 2 Laptops From Hideout In Umuahia

BEVERLY HILLS, May 11, (THEWILL) – The Abia State Police Command said it had recovered some materials belonging to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from a hideout in Umuahia, the state capital.

The Command listed the recovered items to include five smart card readers and two laptops, saying they were recovered by detectives from the Zone 9 of the Police Command. Police sources said the items were found at “a hidden location” in Amoba Housing Estate, Old Umuahia, following a tip off.

The recovery came barely a week after police detectives in the state interrogated eight INEC staff over alleged attempt to steal card readers.

More curious was the disclosure that the items were recovered from a location close to the residence of one of the INEC officials recently quizzed over alleged attempt to steal some card readers.

Before the recovery, six other INEC staff, including the Secretary to the State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), were also quizzed in connection with the theft of the materials.

Confirming the recovery of the stolen materials to THEWILL, the State REC, Prof. Selina Oko, said the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 9, Mr. Usman Gwary, informed her of the recovery on Monday.

However, the Police Public Relations Officer in charge of Zone 9, Mr. Emmanuel Jiakponna, refused to comment on the matter.

The development confirms allegations of rigging in the last governorship election against officials of INEC and the PDP.

The detained INEC officials were allegedly trying to manipulate the voters’ card reader machines and records to justify rigged numbers it award the PDP candidate.

The governorship candidate of APGA, Mr. Alex Otti was tipped to win the election by a landslide.