Three officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) going for the November 8 governorship election in Anambra State have been kidnapped in Kogi State.
The kidnapped INEC officials were seized by gunmen on Tuesday at Aloma, Ofu Local Government, Kogi State.
Three other persons were kidnapped along with them.
The kidnapped three INEC officials were identified as Chinenye Orji, Adamaka Anih, and Catherine Temaugee.
They were deployed to Anambra to print voters’ registers and other election materials ahead of the governorship election.
They were travelling from Abuja to Anambra when they were kidnapped at Aloma, Kogi State.
The driver of the Sienna minibus they were travelling in, in a recorded telephone conversation stated that the kidnappers took over the highway, shot at the bus, and shattered the windshield.
According to him, all occupants of the bus were abducted, including his wife, except himself and an elderly woman who could not walk properly.
The driver later recounted that the kidnappers freed him and the elderly woman after realising she had mobility issues.
The woman, who was also released in the vehicle, said : “We were in the same vehicle with them, going to Awka.
“The driver and myself were released. It happened a little after 3pm. We left the motor park at 9 am from Utako.
“We stayed briefly at Lokoja to eat. We took Anambra Comfort Line.
“We went to Aloma Police Station. It happened a little after Aloma.”
Meanwhile, sources informed that the three INEC staff members were deployed to Anambra to print voters’ registers and other election materials ahead of the governorship election.
“Three INEC staff (all ladies) and others have been kidnapped at Aloma, Kogi State.
“Aloma is located near Benue State. They boarded a Sienna minibus from Utako this morning on official assignment to Anambra State for the forthcoming governorship election before this unfortunate issue happened.
“The incident happened this afternoon, Tuesday, October 21.
“The kidnappers took over the highway, shot at the car, and shattered the windscreen.
“Fortunately, the bullets didn’t touch the occupants.
“The INEC Staff were said to have been deployed to Anambra for the printing of the voters’ register and other materials ahead of the governorship election scheduled for November 8,” the source said. Ad
“The kidnappers took possession of all the occupants of the bus, including the wife of the driver and the driver himself.
“The driver and the elderly woman were reportedly the only ones freed, while the remaining six occupants, including three INEC staff members and the driver’s wife, were taken into the bush.
“While the matter has been reported to the police, the kidnappers have not made any demands, and the incident is currently under investigation.
(vitalnewsngr.com)
