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INEC Official Abducted, As Boat Carrying 12 Personnel Capsizes In Bayelsa
Fortunately, no life was lost as all election personnel numbering 12
Yenagoa, Bayelsa State– An official from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was reportedly been kidnapped in the Sagbama Local Government Area.
The official, whose identity remain undisclosed, was forcibly taken by captors while awaiting transportation at the Amassoma Jetty on Friday.
“INEC also reports that its SPO (Supervising Polling Officer) assigned to Registration Area 06 (Ossioma) in Sagbama LGA was abducted while waiting to board a boat at Amassoma Jetty. The security agencies have been notified,” the commission said in a statement late Friday.
Meanwhile, a boat ferrying 12 commission officials for the November 11, 2023 governorship election in the state also capsized on Friday with result sheets lost.
“We wish to confirm that a boat carrying election personnel to Registration Area-17 (Koluama) in Southern Ijaw LGA capsized,” said a spokesperson for the commission in the state, Wilfred Ifogah.
“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.”