On a tense Saturday morning in Nigeria, law enforcement authorities in both Kaduna and Kogi States took center stage, reinforcing their commitment to free and fair elections as two pivotal bye-elections unfolded. The day was marked by a major arrest in Kaduna and heightened security operations in Kogi, underscoring both the persistent challenges of electoral malpractice and the evolving efforts to safeguard Nigeria’s democratic process.
In Kaduna, the police made headlines after arresting a man, Shehu Patangi, who was found in possession of over N25 million. According to the Kaduna police spokesperson, DSP Mansir Hassan, Patangi admitted that the cash was intended to bribe eligible voters during the ongoing bye-election. "The individual confirmed the money’s purpose was to sway voters, which is a serious violation of the law," Hassan stated, as reported by local news outlets. The arrest took place at a hotel on Turunku Road in Kaduna metropolis, the result of a coordinated operation involving the Police, the Department of State Services (DSS), and other security agencies.
This swift action was lauded by Kaduna Police Commissioner, CP Rabiu Muhammad, who emphasized that attempts to undermine the integrity of the electoral process would not be tolerated. "Security has been strengthened in all sensitive areas to ensure the elections are conducted freely and fairly," Muhammad told reporters. The Commissioner’s message was clear: the authorities are determined to protect not just the votes, but the faith of the people in the electoral system itself.
The significance of this arrest cannot be overstated. Vote-buying has long been a blight on Nigeria’s elections, eroding public trust and allowing those with deep pockets to tip the scales of democracy. The fact that Patangi reportedly confessed to the intended use of the money shone a harsh light on the lengths some actors are willing to go to subvert the will of the people. Yet the authorities’ response—swift, coordinated, and public—sent an unmistakable signal that such practices would be met with the full force of the law.
Residents of Kaduna were urged by security agencies to participate in the bye-election with confidence. Authorities assured them that the safety of lives, property, and the integrity of the voting process would be fully protected before, during, and after the polls. The message was one of reassurance, aiming to counteract any fears that the specter of violence or malpractice might keep voters away from the ballot box.
Meanwhile, in Kogi State, preparations for the supplementary House of Assembly election were in full swing. On Friday, Kogi State Commissioner of Police Miller Dantawaye addressed journalists in Lokoja, assuring the public that security personnel would provide adequate protection before, during, and after the election scheduled for Saturday, August 16, 2025. "As far as the forthcoming bye-election is concerned, we at the Kogi police command are ready. We have done necessary preparations and training and we have put in place necessary logistics to ensure a hitch free exercise," Dantawaye stated, according to official reports.
The Kogi bye-election was necessitated by the untimely death of the former deputy speaker, Paul Enema, who passed away in December 2024 after a brief illness in an Abuja hospital. Enema had represented the Dekina Okura 1 state Constituency, and his passing left a significant vacancy in the state assembly. The supplementary election aimed to fill this gap, a process that Dantawaye and his team were determined to see carried out peacefully and transparently.
Dantawaye’s message to the electorate was one of partnership and vigilance. He appealed to residents, politicians, and voters alike to ensure a peaceful exercise, emphasizing the collective responsibility in upholding the sanctity of the polls. "I will appeal to the residents of the state, especially the politicians and the electorate, to ensure that we have a hitch-free exercise in the state," he said. The Commissioner also noted that the crime rate in the state was already on the decline, thanks to the synergy between police operatives and sister security agencies—a hopeful sign that the atmosphere was conducive to a credible election.
Beyond the polling stations, the Kogi police command ramped up patrols along key highways, particularly the Ajaokuta and Ofu Local Government axis, to ensure the safety of travelers and prevent any incidents that might disrupt the electoral process. Dantawaye commended both the Inspector General of Police and the state government for their support, which he said was instrumental in safeguarding the lives and property of residents.
One of the more striking aspects of Dantawaye’s approach was his call for greater public cooperation in tackling crime. He encouraged residents to volunteer intelligence information on criminal activities, assuring them that such tips would be treated with utmost confidentiality. "Let me appeal to our people that if you trust us to give us intelligence information on criminals, do not let a third person know about it, and I assure you such information will be treated with utmost confidentiality," Dantawaye emphasized. This appeal for community partnership reflected a broader trend in Nigerian law enforcement, where building trust between police and citizens is increasingly seen as essential to maintaining security and order.
The twin stories of Kaduna and Kogi’s bye-elections offer a revealing snapshot of Nigeria’s ongoing struggle to strengthen its democracy. On one hand, the arrest in Kaduna was a stark reminder that the fight against electoral malpractice is far from over. On the other, the meticulous preparations and appeals for peace in Kogi demonstrated a growing recognition among security agencies that legitimacy at the ballot box is built not just through policing, but through partnership with the people.
Both states’ police commissioners underscored the vital role of inter-agency cooperation in these efforts. The joint operation in Kaduna, involving the DSS and other agencies, and the synergy highlighted by Dantawaye in Kogi, pointed to a maturing security apparatus capable of responding swiftly to threats against the electoral process. Yet, as these events show, success also hinges on public trust—trust that votes will count, that the law will be enforced impartially, and that those who seek to undermine democracy will be held to account.
As Nigeria continues to navigate the complex terrain of electoral reform, the lessons from these bye-elections will likely echo far beyond the borders of Kaduna and Kogi. The message from authorities is unmistakable: the era of impunity for electoral offenses is coming to an end, and the guardians of democracy are, at last, finding their voice.
