Bayelsa Election Shock: INEC Official Kidnapped, Result Sheets Missing on Boat

In a shocking turn of events, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Supervising Presiding Officer (SPO) assigned to registration area 06 in Ossioma, Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, has been abducted. Reports indicate that the INEC official was taken at Amassoma Community in Southern Ijaw LGA while awaiting transportation at a jetty in the area.

Simultaneously, another calamity struck as a boat carrying election personnel en route to registration area 17 in Koluama Community, Southern Ijaw LGA, capsized, resulting in the loss of crucial election materials, including result sheets. The INEC Head of Department, Voters Education and Publicity in Bayelsa State, Mr. Wilfred Ifogah, confirmed these distressing incidents but assured that no lives were lost in either event. Fortunately, 12 personnel and the boat operator were successfully rescued.

Mr. Ifogah provided further details, stating, “We, unfortunately, lost our result sheets, power banks, and luggage containing personal effects of staff. The affected registration area has 5,368 registered voters, with 5,311 PVCs collected. INEC is actively working to ensure the conduct of the election in this affected area.”

He went on to reveal that the security agencies have been alerted to the abduction of the SPO assigned to registration area 06 (Ossioma) in Sagbama LGA. This unsettling development adds an extra layer of concern as the electoral body grapples with securing the integrity of the upcoming election in Bayelsa State.