Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have arrested 20 individuals in connection with alleged electoral malpractice during the recently concluded Federal Capital Territory area council elections.
The anti-graft agency confirmed that more than ₦20 million, suspected to be intended for vote inducement, was recovered during coordinated operations carried out across multiple locations in the FCT.
In a statement released on Sunday, the commission disclosed that the arrests were made on Saturday, February 21, 2026, in four area councils — Abaji, Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Kwali — following intelligence-led surveillance.
According to the EFCC, two suspects were arrested in Abaji, nine in Gwagwalada, four in Kuje, and four others in Kwali. One of the suspects was reportedly apprehended with ₦13.5 million found inside a parked vehicle close to a polling unit in Kwali.
The agency stated that the suspects were linked to offences including vote buying, vote selling, and obstruction of election monitoring officers. In total, cash exhibits amounting to ₦17,218,700 were officially documented during the operations.
The EFCC explained that the enforcement exercise was aimed at deterring electoral corruption and strengthening the credibility of Nigeria’s democratic process, especially during grassroots elections.
The agency added that investigations are ongoing and that all suspects will be charged to court upon completion of administrative and legal procedures.
The February 21 elections were conducted across the six area councils of the FCT — Abaji, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Kwali, and Abuja Municipal Area Council — to elect chairmen and councillors.
Independent election observers, including civil society groups, reported widespread attempts to influence voters with cash offers ranging between ₦1,000 and ₦5,000 in several polling units, particularly in Gwagwalada and Kuje.
Final results released by the Independent National Electoral Commission showed that the All Progressives Congress secured victory in five of the six chairmanship contests, while the Peoples Democratic Party won one seat.
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