2027: Bandits planning to kidnap corpers, disrupt polls – INEC chairman raises alarm

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Joash Amupitan, has raised the alarm over a plot by bandits to focus on corps members and disrupt the 2027 basic election.

Amupitan disclosed this whereas talking on the Chatham House in London.

He stated intelligence accessible to the Commission confirmed that some prison kingpins have been planning to intimidate, threaten and kidnap ad-hoc electoral personnel, particularly members of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, who can be recruited for the polls.

According to him, the plot was uncovered by intelligence-driven operations, which led to the arrest of the suspected masterminds behind it.

He stated the suspects have been taken to courtroom by the Department of State Services, DSS.

“Intelligence-driven operations had led to the arrest of suspected masterminds behind the alleged plot, and they have been taken to court through the DSS,” Amupitan stated.

He warned that anyone who threatens, assaults or harms electoral personnel will face the total weight of the regulation.

He stated INEC is not going to compromise the security of its workers and ad-hoc staff, particularly corps members who can be deployed throughout the nation for the election.

Amupitan stated the Commission is strengthening its partnership with safety companies below the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, ICCES, to establish and deal with rising threats earlier than election day.

He stated the credibility of the 2027 election will largely depend upon the neutrality, professionalism and dedication of electoral personnel, notably these working on the grassroots.

He additionally cautioned electoral officers towards partisan conduct and administrative negligence, stressing that personnel who violate electoral guidelines can be appropriately sanctioned.