Questions as INEC Officials Travel by Road Despite Insecurity…….
Three staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and several others have been abducted by gunmen along the Aloma axis of Kogi State, on their way to Anambra State for an official assignment.
The victims, all women, were identified as Chinenye Oji, Adamaka Anih, and Catherine Temaugee. They were among passengers travelling in a Toyota Sienna bus from Utako, Abuja, to Anambra when they were attacked on Tuesday afternoon. The incident occurred at about 3 p.m. around Aloma, a community close to the Benue border.
The gunmen reportedly laid siege on the highway, opened fire on the moving vehicle, and shattered its windscreen. Though no one was hit, the occupants were forced out of the car and led into the bush. It was learnt that the INEC officials were being deployed to Anambra for the printing of voters’ registers and other materials ahead of the November governorship election.
Sources told journalists that the kidnappers later released the oldest woman among the passengers after discovering she could not walk properly due to leg issues. The driver of the vehicle was also freed to assist her back to town. However, six others, including the three INEC staff and the driver’s wife, were taken away by the gunmen.
A source familiar with the development said the attack took place “just minutes after 3 p.m.” and that “the kidnappers took over the highway, shot at the car, and took everyone except the old woman and driver.” As at the time of filing this report, security agencies were yet to make an official statement on the abduction, but efforts were said to be ongoing to rescue the victims.
The incident has again raised concerns about the safety of government officials who are often deployed for official duties by road despite worsening insecurity across the country.
Many Nigerians have questioned why INEC failed to make safer travel arrangements for its staff, especially when flights are available. “In a country where security is not guaranteed, why should INEC send its workers on such a dangerous route by road?” a concerned citizen queried. “The commission has a huge budget and could have booked flights or provided armed escorts for them.”
The abduction adds to the growing list of kidnapping incidents in Kogi and neighbouring states, heightening fears over the safety of election officials ahead of the November governorship poll in Anambra State. Security agencies have been urged to step up efforts to ensure the immediate rescue of the abducted INEC staff and to strengthen protection for electoral personnel across the country.
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