The Cross River State Police Command has apprehended 16 persons for alleged engagement in electoral violence in the state.
It will be recalled that the presidential election was held across the country last weekend.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Irene Ugbo, disclosed this to newsmen while parading the suspects.
Ugbo disclosed they were apprehended by military men in Obudu Local Government Area of the state.
He noted that they will be charged to court to serve as a lesson to others planning to disrupt the forthcoming governorship and state House of Assembly elections scheduled for next Saturday.
”These ones here refused to adhere to several warnings by the command they decided to follow desperate politicians for little stipends.
“We have been hammering it before now that electoral violence and thuggery is a crime but they refused to listen, we will charge them to court so that they can face the full wrath of the law.
“They will be used as examples to serve as deterrents to others with similar intentions because we still have another election coming up on March 11.
“They have confessed to the crime of election violence, some of them were arrested while working with the Chairman of the opposition party in the state and a Senatorial candidate of the Party in the just concluded Senatorial elections. We will invite all those involved to come and give us their statement, “she said.
Ugbo noted that several weapons were recovered from them as evidence to show that they were involved in election violence.
She advised parents to always warn their children not to be used for illegal acts by politicians or individuals during or after elections.
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