Gunmen Kidnap INEC Personnel in Anambra, Seek N40 Million Ransom

An employee of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been kidnapped by gunmen and a ransom of ₦40 million demanded for her release in Anambra State.

The incident was said to have occurred at the Ebenebe axis of Awka North Local Government Area of the state.

The abduction was reported by security analyst Zagazola Makama who said it occurred shortly after another attack on a businessman in the same area.

The report says the INEC staff identified as Christy Nkiru Okeke was seized around 7 pm on July 24.

Her husband later reported the incident at the B Division Police Headquarters in Awka after the kidnappers contacted the family, demanding a sum of ₦40m for her release, the report added.

Details surrounding her kidnapping weren’t immediately clear as of the time of this report.

But security operatives are said to have commenced search for the victim and rescue her from the abductors.

A businessman, Emmanuel Nwobodo, was said to have escaped a similar attack around the Ebenebe Community Secondary School about one hour before the INEC worker was abducted.

According to the report, Nwobodo was coming back from Oba when four armed men dressed in dark clothing allegedly opened fire on his Mercedes-Benz.

The businessman is said to have sped away to escape the scene despite the attack.

Later he learned he had been shot in the left knee.

The report also said the gunmen damaged his vehicle, damaging the rear seat belt guard and radiator.

Another staff member known as Tochukwu Afunenu was also said to have fled into a nearby bush during the incident.

The report said when he allegedly ran into the bush, Afunenu had with him the businessman’s ATM card and two mobile phones.

Nwobodo allegedly became suspicious when messages were allegedly sent from Afunenu’s phone claiming the staff was kidnapped.

The messages demanded a ransom of ₦40m for his release, it was reported.

Read Also:Ossai Success Criticises Davido, Says Singer Is Ungrateful to Soso

The development has raised concerns among security operatives who are now investigating whether the staff member was actually kidnapped or if the incident was linked to the earlier attack on the businessman.

The police had started a rescue operation for the abducted INEC staff and those behind the attacks, the report said.

“Extensive combing of surrounding bushes and intelligence-led tracking operations are underway to rescue the abducted victim and arrest the perpetrators, the report said.

Security operatives are also investigating the possibility that the two incidents are related.

The report added that investigators were trying to find out whether the attacks along the same road in a short period of time were perpetrated by the same criminal gang.

INEC says attack on one of its Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection centres in Osun State will not affect preparations for the August 15 governorship election in the state.

Naija News reports that the assurance was given by the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Dayo Oketola, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday.

Suspected hoodlums on Sunday attacked officials and carted away electoral materials at the commission’s PVC collection centre at Oyinlola DC School, Ward 2, Okuku.

The stolen items include Permanent Voter Cards and Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS devices, it was reported.

The commission, Oketola said, has reported the incident to the police, adding that investigation was already ongoing.