Gov'ship Election: Unknown Gunmen Kidnap Three INEC Officials on Their Way to Anambra

By: Israel Adeleke

OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports as gathered that three staff members of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), identified as Chinenye Orji, Adamaka Anih, and Catherine Temaugee, en route to Anambra State for the November 8 governorship election, and three other passengers were reportedly to have been kidnapped by some unknown gunmen suspected to be kidnappers.

OTN News further reports as gathered from that the three INEC staff members, were travelling from Abuja to Anambra when they were ambushed at Aloma, Kogi State.

In a recorded telephone conversation obtained by SaharaReporters, the driver of the Sienna minibus in which they were travelling on, 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 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. The kidnappers have taken people custody, later they will contact their people. We went to Aloma Police Station. It happened a little after Aloma.”

Meanwhile, sources informed newsmen that the three INEC staff members were deployed to Anambra to print voters’ registers and other election materials ahead of the governorship election.

According to the sources, 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.

“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.