Armed hoodlums on Saturday abducted the electoral officer (EO), the returning officer (RO) and the collation officers (CO) in the Isu Local Government Area of Imo State during the collation of results for the house of assembly election.
Spokesperson for the INEC in Imo state, Chinenye Chijioke-Osuji, confirmed the development while addressing journalists in Owerri, the Imo State capital.
“The election went smoothly and peacefully until the collation time when unscrupulous elements invaded the local government council – allegedly working with the local government area council – and violently found their way into the premises with tear gas and guns and drove everyone away,” she said.
According to her, all the INEC officials were beaten up and the office was destroyed as all the windows, roof, chairs, and tables were broken while some of the staff escaped.
“All the staff were beaten up and the office was destroyed, all the Almaco windows, chairs, and tables were broken. Some of us managed to escape for our dear lives. “
The INEC spokesperson said the development has been reported to security operatives for possible action.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner has now confirmed that there will be no further collation since returning officers for many local governments are still being awaited.
The exercise has now been rescheduled for Sunday.
