Top INEC Official Missing In Bayelsa
BY VICTOR BUORO – Just 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.
A statement issued late Friday night in Yenagoa and signed by the INEC Head of Voter Education and Publicity Department, Mr. Wilfred Ifogah, said the SPO, name not disclosed, was abducted at Amassoma Jetty while waiting to board a boat to his area of assignment.
However, the statement did not offer details of the kidnapping or those involved in carrying out the criminal enterprise.
In a related development, Ifogah also disclosed that a boat carrying electoral personnel to Registration Area 17 (Koluama) in Sagbama Local Government Area of the State capsized, but no life was lost as all the personnel numbering 12 and the boat operator were rescued.
According to him; “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.”
On the measures so far taken by the Commission to rescue the abducted official, the Statement said; “The security agencies have been notified.”
