Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted six passengers, among them three officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), who were traveling to Anambra State ahead of the November 8 governorship election.
The three INEC staff members, identified as Chinenye Orji, Adamaka Anih, and Catherine Temaugee, were travelling from Abuja to Anambra when they were ambushed at Aloma, Kogi State, SaharaReporters has learned.
The driver of the Sienna minibus they were travelling on, in a recorded telephone conversation obtained by SaharaReporters, stated that the kidnappers took over the highway, shot at the bus, and shattered the windshield.
According to him, all occupants of the bus were abducted, including his wife, except himself and an elderly woman who could not walk properly.
The driver later recounted that the kidnappers freed him and the elderly woman after realising she had mobility issues.
The woman, who was also released in the vehicle, said, “We were in the same vehicle with them, going to Awka. The driver and myself were released. It happened a little after 3pm. We left the motor park at 9 am from Utako.
“We stayed briefly at Lokoja to eat. We took Anambra Comfort Line. The kidnappers have taken people custody, later they will contact their people. We went to Aloma Police Station. It happened a little after Aloma.”
Meanwhile, sources informed SaharaReporters that the three INEC staff members were deployed to Anambra to print voters’ registers and other election materials ahead of the governorship election.
“Three INEC staff (all ladies) and others have been kidnapped at Aloma, Kogi State. Aloma is located near Benue State. They boarded a Sienna minibus from Utako this morning on official assignment to Anambra State for the forthcoming governorship election before this unfortunate issue happened.
“The incident happened this afternoon, Tuesday, October 21. The kidnappers took over the highway, shot at the car, and shattered the windscreen. Fortunately, the bullets didn’t touch the occupants.”
“The INEC Staff were said to have been deployed to Anambra for the printing of the voters’ register and other materials ahead of the governorship election scheduled for November 8,” the source said.
“The kidnappers took possession of all the occupants of the bus, including the wife of the driver and the driver himself.”
The driver and the elderly woman were reportedly the only ones freed, while the remaining six occupants, including three INEC staff members and the driver’s wife, were taken into the bush.
While the matter has been reported to the police, the kidnappers have not made any demands, and the incident is currently under investigation.
The abduction highlights the growing insecurity in Nigeria, particularly along highways, where kidnappers and bandits often target commercial vehicles.
