Bayelsa guber: INEC official kidnapped, result sheets lost in boat mishap

Gunmen have abducted the Supervisory Presiding Officer (SPO) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) assigned to Registration Area – 06 (Ossioma) in Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

The Head of Voter Education and Publicity at INEC State Headquarters in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, Wilfred Ifogah, who confirmed the incident via a statement, said it occurred on Friday.

Ifogah said the INEC official, whose name was not disclosed, was abducted while waiting to board a boat to his area of assignment at Amassoma Jetty.

He disclosed that a boat carrying electoral personnel to Registration Area 17 (Koluama) in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State also capsized, saying no life was lost, as the 12 personnel and the boat operator were rescued unhurt.

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He said: “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 5,368 and the number of PVCs collected is 5,311.

“INEC is making efforts to ensure the conduct of election in the affected area.

“The security agencies have been notified.”

Meanwhile, the Bayelsa State Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Asinim Butswat, has yet to speak on the incident as of press time.

The Star