VOTER REGISTRATION: UNKNOWN GUNMEN KILL INEC STAFF, 2 OTHERS MISSING IN IMO

REPORTER: CHINAZO ILECHUKWU

A staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) involved in the ongoing continuous voter registration exercise, Mr. Anthony Nwokorie, has been shot dead by gunmen at his duty post in Nkwo Ihitte, Ihitte Uboma Local Government Area of Imo State.

Radio Nigeria gathered that armed men had on Thursday invaded pooling unit 004 in Amakohia Ward where the exercise was going on and started shooting indiscriminately, saying that general election would not take place in the area next year (2023).

A National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, INEC Abuja Mr. Festus Okoye, had, in a statement made available to journalists in Owerri, confirmed the death.

The statement also pointed out that the whereabouts of two other staff of the commission involved in the registration at the polling unit was still unknown.

The statement expressed shock at the attack, noting that the matter had been reported to the Police to unravel the circumstances that led to the unfortunate incident with a view to bringing the culprits to justice.

The statement called on community leaders and other critical stakeholders in security to ensure the safety of INEC personnel engaged in national assignment in Imo State especially now that the continuous voter registration is taking place at the ward levels.

The statement added that the commission had in response to the incident, suspended registration in Ihitte-Uboma Local Government area just as it earlier did at Njaba and Orsu Local Government areas of the state following growing security concerns.