Three INEC officials, others abducted in Kogi

Three officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and three other persons have been abducted by suspected kidnappers at Aloma, a community in Kogi State, located a few minutes from the Benue boundary.

The incident reportedly occurred around 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, when the victims were travelling in a Toyota Sienna bus from Utako, Abuja, to Anambra State on official assignment ahead of the forthcoming governorship election scheduled for the first week of November.

The kidnapped INEC staff have been identified as Chinenye Oji, Adamaka Anih, and Catherine Temaugee.

According to eyewitness accounts and voice notes shared by colleagues, the kidnappers ambushed the vehicle along the highway, opened fire on the bus, and shattered its windscreen. 

Fortunately, none of the occupants was hit by the bullets before being overpowered and taken away.

Sources said the abducted officials were being deployed to Anambra State to assist with the printing of voters’ registers and other electoral materials in preparation for the election.

The gunmen reportedly abducted all the passengers, including the driver, his wife, and the three INEC workers. 

However, a short distance from the scene, the attackers released an elderly woman who was among the passengers, after discovering she had difficulty walking. The driver was also freed and instructed to help the woman return to town.

As of press time, six persons remain in captivity including the three INEC staff, the driver’s wife, and two other passengers.

INEC authorities are yet to release an official statement, but internal sources confirmed that efforts are ongoing to establish contact with security agencies for the safe rescue of the victims.