JUST-IN: Top INEC Official Abducted In Bayelsa

Less than 24 hours to the governorship election in Bayelsa State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed the abduction of a Supervisory Presiding Officer (SPO) assigned to Registration Area – 06 (Ossioma) in Sagbama local government area of the State.

In a statement issued late Friday night in Yenagoa and signed by the INEC head of voter education and publicity department, Mr. Wilfred Ifogah, the electoral commission said that the SPO, whose name was not disclosed, was abducted while waiting to board a boat to his area of assignment at Amassoma Jetty.

Ifogah further disclosed that a boat carrying electoral personnel to Registration Area 17 (Koluama) in Sagbama local government area of the State also capsized, adding that no life was lost as all the personnel numbering 12 and the boat operator were rescued.

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.”