Bayelsa: INEC official kidnapped in Sagbama; boat carrying 12 staff capsizes, election materials destroyed

The Independent National Electoral Commission says one of its election officials has been kidnapped in Sagbama LGA of Bayelsa. INEC also revealed that a boat conveying election materials and 12 election officials capsized in Southern Ijaw LGA.

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A statement issued in Yenagoa by Wilfred Ifogah, INEC spokesman in Bayelsa, said the two incidents occurred on Friday.

“INEC also reports that its SPO assigned to registration area-06 (Ossioma) in Sagbama local government area was abducted while waiting to board a boat at Ammasoma jetty. The security agencies have been notified,” the statement said.

INEC said the capsized boat had election materials for registration area 17 in Koluama, Southern Ijaw LGA. It added that 12 election officials, including the boat operator, were rescued.

“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 5368 and the number of PVCs collected is 5311.

“INEC is making efforts to ensure the conduct of elections in the affected area,” said INEC. 

(NAN)