The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed the abduction of the Supervising Presiding Officer (SPO) designated for registration area 06 in Ossioma, Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
A boat, which was transporting election personnel to registration area 17 in Koluama Community, Southern Ijaw LGA, reportedly capsized, resulting in the loss of election materials, including result sheets intended for 5,311 registered voters.
Wilfred Ifogah, Head of Voter Education and Publicity at INEC State Headquarters in Yenagoa, in a statement, said it happened on Friday, November 10, 2023.
Ifogah said the INEC official, whose identity was not known as at the time of filling this report was abducted at Amassoma Community in Southern Ijaw LGA while waiting to board a boat at a jetty in the area.
He said: “We wish to confirm that a boat carrying personnel to registration area 17 (Koluama) in Southern Ijaw LGA capsized, fortunately, no life was lost as all the election personnel numbering 12 and the boat operator were rescued.
“We however lost our result sheets, power banks and luggage containing personal effects of staff.
“The total number of registered voters in the affected registration area is 5368 and the number of PVCs collected is 5311. INEC is making efforts to ensure the conduct of election in the affected area.
“INEC also reports that its SPO assigned to registration area 06 (Ossioma), in Sagbama LGA was abducted while waiting to board a boat at Amassoma jetty. The security agencies have been notified,” he said.
The police spokesman in Bayelsa State, CSP Asinim Butswat, had not reacted to the incident as of the time of this report as he neither picked calls nor responded to messages as of the time of filing this report.
