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 target corps members and disrupt the 2027 general election.

Amupitan disclosed this while speaking at the Chatham House in London.

He said intelligence available to the Commission showed that some criminal kingpins were planning to intimidate, threaten and kidnap ad-hoc electoral personnel, especially members of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, who will be recruited for the polls.

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

He said the suspects have been taken to court through 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 said.

He warned that anybody who threatens, attacks or harms electoral personnel will face the full weight of the law.

He said INEC will not compromise the safety of its staff and ad-hoc workers, especially corps members who will be deployed across the country for the election.

Amupitan said the Commission is strengthening its partnership with security agencies under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, ICCES, to identify and tackle emerging threats before election day.

He said the credibility of the 2027 election will largely depend on the neutrality, professionalism and commitment of electoral personnel, particularly those operating at the grassroots.

He also cautioned electoral officers against partisan conduct and administrative negligence, stressing that personnel who violate electoral rules will be appropriately sanctioned.