The Nigeria Police Force on Friday arrested two armed political thugs, allegedly on their way to cause mayhem during Saturday’s governorship election in Edo State.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, in a statement on Saturday, said the suspects are 43-year-old Edwin Obanor, and 41-year-old Audu Tajudeen, allegedly a member of the Peoples Democratic Party from Ugbogbo quarters, Igara Akoko, in the state.

According to Mr Adejobi, the police, in its efforts to curb electoral violence during Saturday’s polls, made the arrest, in response to a tip-off about some individuals armed to destabilise the exercise.

Mr Adejobi said, “The police operatives swooped into action and apprehended Obanor, a leader of an armed group, at Oredo Ward 4 at about 9pm and Audu Tajudeen at Igara Akoko, Edo, on the eve of the election. Upon searching the bags in their possession, three cut-to-size locally fabricated pistols were discovered on Obanor, while one locally made gun was recovered from Tajudeen.’’

Stating that the nabbed suspects currently in custody would face the full weight of the law, the police assured the public of its resolve to protect lives and property, urging citizens to report suspicious activities to the police.

He said the arrest testified to the police commitment to maintaining law and order and ensuring a peaceful electoral process, insisting that security agencies would not tolerate any form of violence or disorderliness during the election.