A security guard working for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was detained in Rivers State by Department of State Security (DSS) agents for allegedly extorting citizens.
It was learned that the official was taken into custody for the alleged offence at the INEC office in the state’s Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
Geraldine Ekelemu, an INEC public affairs representative in the state, confirmed the arrest.
The state’s resident electoral commissioner, Obong Efanga, was represented by Ekelemu, who said, “INEC in Rivers State can confirm that one of its security guards attached to its Obio/Akpor area office has been arrested by agents of the Department of State Security on allegations of extortion of money from members of the public.
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“INEC has zero tolerance for acts of extortion by its employees and will ensure that the security agencies look into this and any other allegations of illegal activity by its officials to make sure that every infraction is addressed and punished.”
Ekelemu thus urged the general populace to refrain from desperate measures that could leave them open to being taken advantage of by scammers.
She continued, “They are also encouraged to report attempts at extortion to INEC or the security agencies.” She pointed out that all Rivers INEC offices were open and accepting potential registrants, and that registration was also taking place in specific locations in some wards on a rotating basis.
