Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted six passengers, including three officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), who were travelling from Abuja to Anambra State ahead of the November 8 governorship election.
The INEC officials — identified as Chinenye Orji, Adamaka Anih, and Catherine Temaugee — were ambushed at Aloma, Kogi State, by heavily armed assailants who blocked the highway and opened fire on their vehicle.
According to information gathered, the victims were travelling in a Sienna minibus operated by Anambra Comfort Line transport company when the gunmen struck.
The bus driver, who narrowly escaped, narrated in a recorded phone call that the attackers suddenly took over the highway, shooting at the vehicle and shattering its windshield.
“All the occupants were abducted, including my wife. Only myself and an elderly woman who couldn’t walk were left behind,” the driver recounted.
He added that the kidnappers eventually freed him and the elderly woman, leaving the others in their custody.
The elderly woman, who was also released, shared her ordeal:
“We were in the same vehicle with them, going to Awka. The driver and I were released. It happened a little after 3 p.m. We left the motor park at 9 a.m. from Utako and stopped at Lokoja to eat. The kidnappers have taken the others. Later, they will contact their people. We went to Aloma Police Station after it happened.”
Sources confirmed that the abducted INEC staff were on official assignment to Anambra to print voters’ registers and other sensitive election materials ahead of the governorship poll.
“Three INEC staff (all ladies) and others have been kidnapped at Aloma, Kogi State. Aloma is near Benue State. They boarded a Sienna minibus from Utako this morning for an official assignment to Anambra before this unfortunate incident happened,” a source disclosed.
“The kidnappers took over the highway, shot at the car, and shattered the windscreen. Fortunately, the bullets didn’t touch the occupants. They then took everyone except the driver and the elderly woman who couldn’t walk.”
The driver’s wife and five other passengers remain in captivity. Security agencies have reportedly launched an investigation, although the kidnappers have yet to make any demands.
The abduction once again underscores the worsening state of insecurity along major highways in Nigeria, where kidnapping for ransom has become increasingly rampant.
Authorities are expected to intensify rescue efforts to secure the release of the abducted INEC officials and other victims as the governorship election in Anambra draws closer.
