Security operatives in Ogun State have arrested individuals suspected to be officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and a politician over alleged vote-buying ahead of the state’s by-election.

The suspects, including a man and a woman purportedly working with INEC, were apprehended on Saturday at a hotel in Iperu-Remo, Ikenne Local Government Area. They were picked up alongside a politician said to be coordinating plans to induce voters.

A viral video circulating on social media showed the INEC officials squatting on the ground as they were interrogated by security personnel. In the footage, the officer conducting the questioning alleged that intelligence reports had revealed the electoral officials had earlier received a large cash inducement from party officials.

Sources said some individuals believed to be members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were also found in the company of the suspects at the time of the arrest.

The development comes amid heightened scrutiny of electoral processes in the country, with political parties trading allegations of malpractice in recent by-elections across several states.

As of the time of filing this report, neither INEC nor the Ogun State Police Command had issued an official statement regarding the arrests.