INEC confirms kidnap, release of 19 ad hoc staff in Imo state.

On Saturday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) revealed that 19 of its ad hoc staff members had been abducted while traveling to the Ideato South Local Government Area of Imo to conduct the House of Assembly election.

Prof. Sylvia Agu, the resident electoral commissioner for Imo at INEC, made this announcement in a statement on Saturday in Owerri.

However, they were reportedly freed after security personnel intervened, but election supplies, including BVAS machines, remain missing.

Agu stated; “The attention of the commission has been drawn to a report from Ugbelle Registration Area (06) in Ideato South Local Government Area of Imo state where thugs carted away all electoral materials and took our staff hostage for some hours during the March 18 House of Assembly election.

“The security forces were informed and a rescue operation was mounted.

“Presently, all ad hoc staff on hostage have been rescued but no trace of the election materials.

“While the commission remains grateful to the security operatives, it condemns such acts of thuggery, intimidation and disenfranchisement of voters and urge the public to continue to have confidence in the electoral process,” Agu stated.

The REC said a full statement on the matter will be issued later.