By IFEANYI OKOLIE
LAGOS—The State Security Service,SSS,  yesterday, arrested six persons who were behind the theft of Direct  Data Capturing,DDC, machines, and  other sensitive materials  used by the Independent Electoral Commission, INEC,  in  last  April’s  general elections in  Lagos State.

SSS also said all the stolen materials were recovered from the popular Computer Village Market, in the Ikeja area of the state.

Speaking with newsmen at its  Shangisha office, SSS Director, Lagos State, Mr. Achu Ben Olaye, said  the service swung into action after a  complaint was made by INEC  that  some DDC machines,  Internal  Hard Disks Drives, HDD, and computer batteries were stolen from its central store in Lagos State.

He said:“A full-scale investigation by this service into the matter was established and it  led to the arrest of a Lagos-based syndicate made up of an INEC staff and his collaborators, who have been stealing and trading in the missing items since May, 2011.”   Mr.   Olaye also, identified members of the syndicate as Rafiu Atanda Osunware (INEC staff), Busayo Anyankolu, Bayo Akomolafe and Okoro Ifeanyichukwu,  Chukwunwike Onwurah and Ugwaka Emeka.

Giving details on how the suspects were arrested and the items recovered,   Mr. Olaye said,   “ Osunware who is a staff and a store keeper of INEC in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State, have been the act of stealing sensitive INEC materials which are yet to be  declassified by the federal government, since  May, 2011, and he sold them  to Akomolafe,  a floor boy at Computer Village, Ikeja, Lagos , at the rate of three thousand naira per units.

Akomolafe, then source for other buyers of the materials, whose names are mention above.”   The SSS boss also said all the suspects have made valuable confessions and will soon be charged to court.

He noted that the Service will enjoyed Nigerians to remain vigilant and more security conscious in assisting the service put an end to activities of unscrupulous and unpatriotic elements.   “We want to therefore enjoin Nigerians to continue cooperating with law enforcement agencies as we partner in the business of securing our nation and its assets.”