FCT Elections: EFCC Arrests 20, Recovers N17m

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Saturday arrested 20 persons across the Federal Capital Territory during the local government elections over alleged electoral offences and recovered more than ₦17 million suspected to be meant for vote buying.

The arrests were made on February 21, 2026, in different area councils of the FCT.
In a statement released on Sunday through its official X account, the commission said its operatives carried out the operation in Abaji, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Kwali while the elections were ongoing.

According to the agency, the suspects were picked up for offences linked to vote buying, vote selling and obstruction of electoral officers.

The breakdown of the arrests shows that two suspects were apprehended in Abaji, nine in Gwagwalada, four in Kuje and four in Kwali. The commission disclosed that a total sum of ₦17,218,700 was recovered during the operation.

One of the suspects was found with ₦13.5 million inside a vehicle parked close to a polling unit in Kwali Area Council. The money was believed to be intended for inducement of voters.

The anti-graft agency said investigations are ongoing and that the suspects will be charged to court after the probe is concluded.

The FCT area council elections were conducted in Abaji, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Kwali and the Abuja Municipal Area Council. Reports from observers during the polls indicated cases of inducement in some areas.

Observers from the Centre for Democracy and Development reported that cash offers ranging from ₦1,000 to ₦5,000 were allegedly made to voters in certain polling units, especially in Gwagwalada and Kuje.

Results later released by the Independent National Electoral Commission showed that the All Progressives Congress won five of the six chairmanship seats, while the Peoples Democratic Party secured one seat.