By Chukwuani Victoria

Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command, on the eve of the 2023 general elections, have arrested a member of the House of Representatives, Chinyere Igwe, allegedly in possession of $500,000 US Dollars reportedly given to him by the presidential candidate of the People Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar.

Igwe, who is a supporter of the PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, was arrested along Aba Road in Port Harcourt, the State capital.

Naija News gathered that apart from the foreign currency allegedly in his possession, the Police also found a list of how the money will be distributed to beneficiaries in the 23 local government areas of the State as well as security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Speaking about his arrest, the Rivers State police in a statement shared on Twitter said that the lawmaker was arrested for money laundering.

The statement reads: “Police Officers from Rivers State Command deployed to INEC Headquarters Aba Road today 24/2/2023 at about 0245hrs, while on stop and search, arrested one Hon Chinyere Igwe, member House of Representatives representing

“Port Harcourt II Federal Constituency with a cash sum of 498,100 USD inside a bag in his car. Also recovered was a list for distribution of the money. The AIG Election, AIG Abutu Yaro fdc has ordered swift interrogation and arraignment in court.

“The Command urges all contestants and political parties to comply strictly with provisions of the Electoral Act and other relevant laws. Members of the public are encouraged to avail themselves of the following hotlines to report any observation they believe have.”

Chinyere’s arrest came barely 72 hours after the building housing his two media outfits, the Wish FM and the Atlantic Television Network were rocked by an explosion.

Politician Threatening To ‘Kill Voters’ On Election Day Summoned

Meanwhile, another member of the Rivers House of Representatives, Ephraim Nwuzi who was caught on camera making inciteful statement to kill some Nigerians during the forthcoming presidential election has been invited by the State Police command.

Naija News reports that Nwuzi in a viral video that did not capture the entirety of the conversation was seen asking for Nigerians to be shot at or killed to set an example to others so they would disperse and flee for their lives.

“This is four years they have been paying all the Igbos from the council. That is not what we will do now… What we will do (sic). Let’s crack three or four of them, let’s shoot them… When we shoot two or three and kill them, the rest will run,” he said incoherently in English and one of the Igbo language dialects.

In a swift reaction, the Supervising Assistant Inspector-General of Police for the elections, AIG Abutu Yaro invited the politician for questioning.

The police command’s spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, in a statement shared via Twitter, said Nwuzi was invited to ascertain his intent and purposes in the video.