JUST IN: INEC staff kidnapped, materials lost in boat mishap

By Peters Monday, Abuja

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has stated that its Supervising Presiding Officer, SPO, has been kidnapped by unknown persons.

Congress gathered that the yet to identified INEC staff was abducted in Bayelsa on her way to her duty post.

The commission further narrated that a boat conveying personnel and materials to Registration Area Centers, RACs, 17 Koluama community, in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, capsized.

According to a statement signed and issued to journalists on Friday night, by HOD, voter education & Publicity, Wilfred Ifogah, the commission’s SPO assigned to Registration Area- 06 (Ossioma) in Sagbama LGA was abducted while waiting to board a boat at Amassoma Jetty.

“The commission commenced movement of personnel and electoral materials to the Registration Area Centers (RACs) on Friday 10th November, 2023.

“However we wish to confirm that a boat carrying election personnel to Registration Area-17 (Koluama) in Southern ljaw LGA capsized.

“Fortunately, no life was lost as all the election personnel numbering 12 and the boat operator were rescued.

“We however lost our result sheets, power banks and luggage containing personal effects of staff.

“The total number of registered voters in the affected Registration Areas is 5368 and the number of PVCs collected is 5311.

“INEC is making efforts to ensure the conduct of elections in the affected area. The security agencies have been notified,” he said.