The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reported that one of its officials designated for the upcoming governorship election in Bayelsa was kidnapped while awaiting boarding at the Ammasoma jetty in Sagbama Local Government Area of the State. Additionally, 12 other officials narrowly escaped death when their boat capsized in the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.
The abducted official, a Supervisory Presiding Officer (SPO) assigned to Registration Area-06 (Ossioma) in Sagbama Local Government Area, was seized during the incident, as confirmed in a statement issued in Yenagoa by Wilfred Ifogah, the Head of Voter Education and Publicity in Bayelsa on Friday.
The commission revealed that the capsized boat in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area was transporting election materials for Registration Area-17 in Koluama. Fortunately, all 12 election officials, including the boat operator, were rescued. However, INEC incurred losses, including result sheets, power banks, and personal belongings of staff.
INEC has informed security agencies about the abduction of its SPO in Sagbama Local Government Area, and efforts are underway to ensure the safe conduct of the election in the affected area, where 5,368 registered voters and 5,311 PVCs were recorded in the impacted registration areas.