INEC Official Kidnapped In Bayelsa

A staff member of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was abducted by unknown gunmen in Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

The staff was waiting to board a boat at Amassoma Jetty on Friday when he was seized by his kidnappers.

“INEC also reports that its SPO assigned to Registration Area 06 (Ossioma) in Sagbama LGA was kidnapped while waiting to board a boat at Amassoma Jetty. The security agencies have been notified,” the commission said in a statement late Friday.

In another incident, a boat carrying 12 INEC officials for the November 11, 2023, governorship election in the state sank on Friday, and result sheets were lost.

“We wish to confirm that a boat carrying election personnel to Registration Area-17 (Koluama) in Southern Ijaw LGA capsized,” said Wilfred Ifogah, a spokesperson for the commission in the state.

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

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

“The total number of registered voters in the affected registration areas is 5,386 and the number of PVCs collected is 5,311. INEC is making efforts to ensure the conduct of elections in the affected area.