Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested a staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over alleged extortion in Rivers State.
INEC confirmed the arrest on Tuesday via a statement by its Public Affairs Officer in the state, Geraldine Ekelemu.
INEC in the statement explained that the staff – a security guard – was arrested for allegedly extorting unsuspecting members of the public.
Although, the affected personnel’s identity was not revealed, but it was learnt that he was attached to the commission’s office in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
Ekelemu reiterated that INEC has zero-tolerance for acts of extortion by its staff and would ensure that the security agencies investigate the allegation against the guard and any other allegations of illegality by its officials to ensure that every infraction is redressed and punished.
She urged members of the public to avoid acts of desperation that could render them vulnerable to fraudsters, adding that INEC offices in Rivers State are open and attending to potential registrants while registration is also ongoing in designated locations in some wards on a rotational basis.
Apart from the ongoing voter registration exercise, INEC also began the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) for those who sought transfers, who have lost their cards in Rivers.
