KOGI: Abductors release 6 INEC staff unharmed

Six officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) who were kidnapped during the governorship and state assembly elections in Kogi State have been released by their abductors.

The officials were said to have been kidnapped by armed thugs in fake police and army uniforms at the polling unit inside the Crowther Memorial College in Lokoja who also carted away some elections materials.

Although the INEC staff were released unharmed, it is not certain if the stolen materials were returned.

After their abduction, witnesses said they were taken away in a van by the armed abductors to an unknown destination.

The Director of Publicity in Lokoja office of the INEC, Ahmed Bimabo, said the victims, who were released few hours later, were undergoing medical examination at the Lokoja office of the Commission.

READ ALSO: DELTA: One killed, several others injured as gunmen open fire on polling units

Bimabo did not say whether the workers returned with the sensitive election materials and ballot boxes confiscated by the hoodlums as they were taken away.

The Kogi state governorship and state Assembly election was generally marred with violence as two people are feared dead while several others are said to have been injured.

Several houses and cars are said to have been razed including the home of a former Commissioner for Youths and Sport, Anthony Kpuke; the house was said to have been touched in Ganaja village via Lokoja.

Government officials were seen with armed police men and suspected thugs who wore police uniforms terrorising the electorate and snatching ballot boxes all over the state.

Places where elections were disrupted included Kabba, Dekina, Yagba West and Yagba East, Lokoja metropolis, Ibaji, Idah Olamaboro and Omala, all believed to be PDP strongholds.

Eye witness says voting took place in only in one of the five polling units in Ward D area of Lokoja.

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