Fear and confusion enveloped parts of Kogi State on Tuesday after a group of armed men reportedly kidnapped several officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) who were traveling through the state on official duty.
According to eyewitness accounts, the incident occurred along the Aloma Road in Kogi when the gunmen ambushed the vehicle conveying the INEC staff. The victims, all women, were said to be on their way from Abuja to Anambra State to carry out election-related assignments ahead of the forthcoming governorship election.
The attackers were said to have blocked the road and opened fire on the vehicle, riddling it with bullets and shattering its windscreen. Fortunately, none of the passengers sustained gunshot wounds, although the situation caused panic among commuters in the area.
Reports revealed that the officials were deployed to Anambra for the printing of the voters’ register and other sensitive election materials in preparation for the governorship poll scheduled for early November.
Sources confirmed that all occupants of the bus, including the driver and his wife, were taken away by the assailants, who disappeared into a nearby forest immediately after the attack.
Efforts to reach the Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer for comments were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report, as calls and messages to his phone went unanswered.
The incident has sparked concerns over the safety of election officials, especially as the nation intensifies preparations for the Anambra governorship election. Security analysts have urged authorities to enhance protection for INEC staff and election materials ahead of the polls.