The two, Herbert Ejiofor and Nnamdi Nwabuko, both of INEC’s ICT department have been detained and are currently assisting the police in their investigations.

Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, of the state, Selina Oko, said the affected staff could not give convincing explanation why they had the machines in their possession. She said she had no other option than to invite the police to carry out investigations.

“The police should conduct proper investigation and take the right action. I am in charge. They are taking things out without my permission. Even I, as the REC, I do not take sensitive materials away from the office except on demand by my Chairman in Abuja,” Oko said.

She said the two suspects were caught by security men trying to drive out of the office with the machines and were subsequently detained till she arrived.

The assistant inspector general, AIG, Zone 9, Usman Gwarri, said it would be too early to conclude on the culpability of the suspects until investigations were concluded.