Anambra Governorship Election,: Gunmen Abduct Three INEC Officials, Others in Kogi on Route to Anambra
By Fatima Saka
Gunmen on Friday abducted three female officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and three other passengers along the Aloma area of Kogi State, a few minutes from the Benue border. The victims were travelling from Abuja to Anambra State on an official assignment ahead of the November governorship election.
The incident occurred at about 3:00 p.m. when the attackers reportedly blocked the highway, opened fire on the Sienna bus conveying the victims, and shattered the windscreen. Although no one was hit by the bullets, the occupants were forced out of the vehicle at gunpoint and taken into the forest.
According to information available to this newspaper, the INEC staff were deployed to Anambra to commence printing of the voters’ register and other pre-election materials in preparation for the November 2 governorship poll.
Sources familiar with the incident said the bus was conveying a total of eight occupants — the driver, his wife, three INEC staff members (all women), and three other passengers. However, after the abduction, the kidnappers reportedly released an elderly woman who struggled to walk due to a leg condition, along with the driver, and directed him to escort her back to safety.
“All other six passengers, including the three INEC staff and the driver’s wife, were taken into the bush,” a source said. “The attack happened not far from Aloma in Kogi State, just after they left Utako Park in Abuja this morning on official duty.”
Voice notes shared by one of the contacts close to the victims confirmed the development and revealed that the kidnappers had already established contact with the families. However, it remains unclear whether a ransom demand has been made.
As of the time of filing this report, INEC authorities in Abuja are yet to release an official statement, but top officials confirmed privately that they were aware of the incident and were working with security agencies to secure the release of their colleagues.
The Kogi State Police Command had also not issued a formal reaction, and efforts to reach the spokesperson were unsuccessful.
This abduction adds to growing concerns over insecurity on highways across Nigeria, especially in Kogi State, which has become notorious for kidnapping activities due to its strategic location linking the North and South of the country.
Names of the abducted INEC staff have been made available to this newspaper but are being withheld pending official confirmation from the Commission.
More details shortly.
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