BREAKING: GUNMEN ABDUCT RETURNING OFFICER, OTHER INEC STAFF IN IMO

REPORTER: CHINAZO ILECHUKWU

The Returning Officer for Isu Constituency in the Imo State House Assembly election has been allegedly abducted and taken to an unknown destination by hoodlums while collation of results was in progress.

Also abducted are Collation Officers and the Electoral Officer in charge of Isu Local Government Area of the state.

The Spokesperson for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the state, Dr. Chinenye Chijioke Osuji, made this known in a statement made available to journalists.

She said collation of results was in progress at INEC office located in the council headquarters when persons thought to be staff of the council stormed the premises, fired gun shots on the air and canisters thereby making the people to scamper for safety.

Dr. Chijioke-Osuji lamented that the unscrupulous elements beat up INEC personnel, who were in their office for the collation, and later abducted some of them to an unknown destination.

She added that the hoodlums went further to destroy office equipment after shattering the windows in the commission’s office.

Meanwhile, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in the State, Professor Sylvia Agu, while reacting to the development, said the law enforcement agents had been contacted to ensure the release of the abducted INEC officials.

There has been allegations of attacks of opposition party agents and INEC personnel across some collation centres in Imo State.

Election into the 27 legislative seats in the Imo State House of Assembly held across the state was characterised by voter apathy.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU

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