Fear Grips As Gunmen Kidnap INEC Officials And Passengers En Route Anambra For Governorship Election [VIDEO]

 

Tension has gripped the political and security landscape following the abduction of three officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and three other passengers by suspected kidnappers along the Aloma axis of Kogi State. The victims were reportedly traveling from Abuja to Anambra State for official duties ahead of the November 8 governorship election when they were intercepted by armed men.

Witness accounts and early police reports indicate that the attack took place around 3 pm on Tuesday, October 21. The victims were traveling in a Sienna minibus belonging to a popular transport company, Anambra Comfort Line, when the assailants suddenly emerged from the surrounding bushes and opened fire. The gunshots shattered the windshield of the vehicle, forcing it to a halt before the gunmen took control of the passengers.

The three abducted INEC staff have been identified as Chinenye Orji, Adamaka Anih, and Catherine Temaugee. They were said to be on an official assignment to Anambra, where they were expected to handle crucial pre-election logistics, including the printing of the voters’ register and other sensitive materials ahead of the upcoming election.

According to the driver of the Sienna, who managed to escape, the attackers appeared well-coordinated. In a recorded phone conversation obtained by SaharaReporters, he narrated that the kidnappers blocked the highway, shot at the vehicle, and ordered everyone to step out. He said that all passengers were seized except an elderly woman who could barely walk. The driver explained that the kidnappers later freed both himself and the elderly woman after realizing her physical condition.

The woman, who confirmed the driver’s account, recounted the terrifying experience after their release. She said they had left the Utako motor park in Abuja around 9 am and made a brief stop at Lokoja to eat before continuing their journey. According to her, the ambush happened suddenly as they approached Aloma, a community notorious for sporadic incidents of armed robbery and kidnapping. She said the abductors took the remaining passengers into the forest while she and the driver were told to leave.

Reports from local sources revealed that the gunmen have yet to make any contact or demand ransom from the families of the victims. Security operatives in Kogi State have been alerted, and the police have reportedly launched a manhunt to track the perpetrators and rescue the victims. The matter has also been escalated to the INEC headquarters in Abuja, which is expected to release an official statement once preliminary investigations are concluded.

A senior INEC official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, expressed deep concern over the development. He said the commission is under immense pressure to complete preparations for the Anambra governorship election, and the abduction of key staff could disrupt critical pre-election logistics. The source added that the victims were part of a technical team assigned to finalize voters’ register verification and prepare sensitive materials for onward distribution to the state’s electoral offices.

Community members in Aloma have also expressed fear following the attack, urging the federal and state governments to tighten security on the highways. Many travelers have reportedly abandoned the route, describing it as unsafe due to the growing frequency of kidnappings in the area. Commercial drivers and transport companies plying the Abuja–Anambra route have called for increased patrols and the establishment of more security checkpoints along the Kogi–Benue corridor, where such attacks have become common.

Analysts have noted that the abduction underscores the persistent insecurity threatening Nigeria’s electoral process. With less than three weeks to the Anambra governorship election, the kidnapping of INEC officials has raised questions about the safety of election personnel, observers, and materials. Civil society groups have demanded urgent government action, warning that continued insecurity could undermine voter confidence and hinder the smooth conduct of the polls.

Residents of the affected area have also appealed to authorities to improve intelligence gathering and strengthen collaboration between local vigilante groups and formal security agencies. Many communities in Kogi and neighboring states have become hotspots for kidnappings, with victims often targeted indiscriminately for ransom.

As of press time, the police have yet to issue a detailed statement, but sources within the Kogi State command confirmed that tactical units have been deployed to comb the forests around Aloma in search of the victims. The security situation along Nigeria’s highways has continued to deteriorate, with frequent reports of travelers being abducted despite previous government promises to curb the menace.

The incident has once again drawn attention to the growing risks faced by government officials and citizens traveling by road across the country. Families of the abducted persons are reportedly traumatized, awaiting news of their loved ones’ safety as security agencies intensify rescue efforts.

The fate of the abducted INEC staff and other passengers remains uncertain. However, their abduction has become a grim reminder of the fragile state of security across major highways and the urgent need for comprehensive measures to protect lives and restore confidence ahead of critical national events like elections.