By Izunna Okafor, Awka
What could be described as ugly news has trailed the forthcoming November 8 Anambra State governorship election following the abduction of three officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and several other passengers by armed men along the Aloma axis of Kogi State, which shares boundary with Benue State.
The incident reportedly occurred on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, around 3:00 p.m., a few minutes’ drive from the Benue border. The victims, including three female INEC staff members identified as Chinenye Oji, Adamaka Anih, and Catherine Temaugee, were reportedly en route from Abuja to Awka, Anambra State, on official election duties when they were ambushed by the gunmen.
Reports indicate that the victims had boarded a Sienna minibus from the Utako Motor Park, Abuja, early that morning, traveling under the Anambra Comfort Line transport company. They were said to be on an assignment related to pre-election activities, including the printing of voters’ registers and preparatory materials for the forthcoming off-cycle governorship election in the state.
Eyewitness accounts suggest that the kidnappers suddenly emerged from the forest, opened fire on the moving vehicle, and shattered its windscreen, forcing the driver to halt. Although, no one was hit by the bullets, the gunmen reportedly seized control of the bus and led all passengers into the nearby bush.
It was gathered that the gunmen, however, released an elderly woman who reportedly had difficulty walking, as well as the driver, who was ordered to escort the woman to the nearest town. However, the remaining six passengers, including the three INEC officials and the driver’s wife, were taken into captivity.
Audio recordings from eyewitnesses and relatives of the victims revealed that the abducted persons were marched deep into the forest, while the freed driver reported the case to security operatives at the Aloma Police Division. The elderly woman, who also recounted her ordeal, confirmed that they left Abuja at 9 a.m., stopped briefly at Lokoja for food, and were attacked around 3 p.m. along the Aloma highway.
As of press time, the whereabouts of the kidnapped victims remain unknown, and the abductors have yet to make contact or demand any ransom.
Meanwhile, sources within INEC headquarters confirmed that the three staff members were officially deployed to Anambra State as part of the Commission’s preparatory team for the governorship election. They were said to be among those handling logistics and documentation processes for the voters’ register printing and material verification ahead of the polls.
It was further gathered that the Police Public Relations Officer of the Kogi State Police Command, SP William Aya, has reacted to the incident, saying that he was yet to receive an official report of the abduction and assuring that the matter would be promptly verified.
The PPRO also reportedly noted that the Divisional Police Officer in the area had been directed to investigate and provide accurate details of the situation.
