By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

Three female staff members of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have allegedly been kidnapped while on their way to Awka, Anambra State for official duties.

The victims that include, Chinenye Oji, Adamaka Anih, and Catherine Temaugee, were reported to have been ambushed and kidnapped with several other passengers by armed men along the Aloma axis of Kogi State, which shares boundary with Benue State.

The incident was said to have occurred on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, around 3:00 p.m., a few minutes’ drive from the Benue border.

Reports have it that the victims had boarded a Sienna minibus from the Utako Motor Park in Abuja, early that morning, traveling in 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 a halt.

It was gathered that 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 further learnt that the gunmen later 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, while 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.

Information has it that the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) 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 reportedly noted that the Divisional Police Officer in the area had been directed to investigate and provide accurate details of the situation.