INEC official kidnapped in Bayelsa as boat capsizes

A boat carrying 12 officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, has capsized.

It was also gathered that a Supervisory Presiding Officer (SPO) assigned to a registration area in Sagbama Local Government Area was abducted by unknown persons at Amassoma jetty while waiting to board a boat.

INEC’s Head of Department, Voter Education and Publicity, Wilfred Ifogah, confirmed the development in a statement on Friday night.

Ifogah said the ill-fated boat was heading for the registration area 17 in Kolouama Southern Ijaw.

He said fortunately no life was lost as all the election personnel numbering 12 and the boat operator were rescued immediately.

He said: “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 Area is 5,368 and the number of PVCs collected is 5311. INEC is making efforts to ensure the conduct of election in the areas”.

On the kidnapped SPO, he said: “INEC also reports that its SPO assigned to Registration Area 06 (Osioma) in Sagbama LGA was abducted while waiting to board a boat at Amassoma jetty. The security agencies have been notified .”