The vehicle was searched by a team of security agents and over three hundred ballot boxes were found. The driver of the vehicle presented a way bill indicating that he was authorised by INEC to convey the ballot boxes to INEC’s North East Zonal office in Gombe.
However, following the arrest, news spread in Bauchi State that the ballot boxes were stashed with thumb printed ballot papers in favour of one of the political parties, prompting the police to invite officials of political patties to witness the searching of the vehicle.
Having established that the vehicle was legally authorised to convey the ballot boxes to Gombe, the vehicle was allowed to continue on its trip.
Reacting to the news that the vehicle was conveying thumb printed ballot papers, the Bauchi State police command issued a statement debunking the claims as false.
Haruna Mohammed, DSP, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Bauchi Police Command, in the statement said: “The attention of Bauchi Police Command has been drawn to an unsubstantiated rumour in the Social media that a Lorry conveying Electoral materials was intercepted this morning by security personnel and that it contains presidential ballot papers all voted in favour of PDP.”
Mohammed said, “Such rumour was not only misleading but a figment of the imagination of mischief makers who want to cause disharmony among the peace loving citizens of Bauchi and the Nation at large.”
The police therefore, urged members of the Public to disregard the rumour and go about their lawful business as the Command is Working tirelessly to ensure safety and security in the state.