BREAKING: (Bayelsa) INEC official abducted hours to election, result sheets, others missing

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said that one of its election officials had been kidnapped in Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. 

The commission also stated that a boat with poll materials and 12 election officials capsized in the state’s Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.

The two distinct incidences occurred on Friday, according to a statement issued in Yenagoa by Wilfred Ifogah, INEC Head of Voter Education and Publicity in Bayelsa.

“INEC also reports that its SPO assigned to Registration Area-06 (Ossioma) in Sagbama Local Government Area was abducted while awaiting to board a boat at Ammasoma jetty.

“The security agencies have been notified,” Ifogah said.

He also said that the capsised boat was conveying election materials for Registration Area-17 in Koluama, Southern Ijaw LGA.

Ifogah added all the 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 election in the affected area,” the official said.