Just in: Snatch ballot box, disrupt election at the expense of your life—Buhari
Chances of arresting any suspected ballot box snatcher or perpetrators of any form election rigging were today foreclosed as President Muhammadu Buhari today (Monday) at All Progressives Congress (APC) National Caucus emergency meeting at the party secretariat in Abuja, ruled out arrests, saying “I am going to warn anybody who thinks he has enough influence in his locality to lead a body of thugs to snatch boxes or to disturb the voting system, he would do it at the expense of his own life.”
The warning to shot at sight came less than 24 hours an official of Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), shot dead an unarmed Nigerians over disagreement to part with a bribe of N5,000.
He said the security agencies have been mandated to identify security hotspots, and warned that political influencers who decide to use thugs to disrupt the elections or snatch ballots will be dealt with ruthlessly.
President Buhari averred that “I do not expect anybody to make any disturbance. I have briefed the law enforcemnt agencies and the military to identify hotspots, flash points, [and] they should be prepared to move. They too would have made their own arrangement as possible as resources have been provided as much as the country can afford it. And anybody who decides to snatch ballot boxes or lead thugs to disturb it (elections) maybe that would be the last unlawful action he would take. I have directed the police and the military to be ruthless.
“We are not going to be blamed that we want to rig elections. I want Nigerians to be respected, let them vote whoever they want across the parties. I’m not afraid… As you said, I have gone round all the 36 states and Abuja. I think I have gotten enough support across the country.
“I am going to warn anybody who thinks he has enough influence in his locality to lead a body of thugs to snatch boxes or to disturb the voting system, he would do it at the expense of his own life.”
