Gunmen Seize INEC Staff in Anambra, Request N40 Million Ransom

Gunmen have kidnapped an employee of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and demanded a ransom of ₦40 million for her release in Anambra State.

The incident happened at the Ebenebe axis of Awka North Local Government Area of the state, it was learnt.

Security analyst Zagazola Makama reported the abduction, saying it happened shortly after another attack on a businessman in the same area.

The report states that the INEC employee, named as Christy Nkiru Okeke, was abducted around 7 pm on July 24.

The report added that her husband later reported the incident at the B Division Police Headquarters in Awka after the kidnappers contacted the family and demanded ₦40m for her release.

Details surrounding her kidnapping weren’t immediately clear at the time of this report.

But security operatives have reportedly begun search for the victim and rescue her from her abductors.

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A businessman, Emmanuel Nwobodo, was said to have escaped a similar attack near Ebenebe Community Secondary School about one hour before the INEC worker was kidnapped.

The report said Nwobodo was returning home from Oba when four armed men in dark clothing allegedly opened fire on his Mercedes-Benz.

The businessman reportedly managed to escape the scene by speeding away despite the attack.

He later learned he had been shot in the left knee.

His vehicle was also damaged, with the radiator and rear seat belt guard reportedly hit by the gunmen’s attack.

One of his staff members, identified as Tochukwu Afunenu, was also said to have escaped into a nearby bush during the incident.

The report said Afunenu had the businessman’s ATM card and two mobile phones on him when he allegedly ran into the bush.

Nwobodo reportedly got suspicious after voice messages were allegedly sent from Afunenu’s phone claiming the staff member had been kidnapped.

The messages allegedly demanded a ransom of ₦40m for his release.

The development has raised concerns among security operatives who are investigating whether the staff member was actually kidnapped or if the incident was linked to the earlier attack on the businessman.

The report said the police had commenced a rescue operation for the abducted INEC staff and those behind the attacks.

“Police said extensive combing of surrounding bushes and intelligence-led tracking operations are ongoing to rescue the abducted victim and apprehend the perpetrators,” the report said.

Security operatives are also exploring the possibility that the two incidents may be linked.

Investigators were working to establish whether the attacks along the same road in a short time frame were carried out by the same criminal gang, the report added.

“The attack on one of its Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection centres in Osun State would not affect preparations for the August 15 governorship election, INEC has said.

Naija News reports the assurance was given by the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Dayo Oketola, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday.

Suspected hoodlums on Sunday attacked officials and carted away electoral materials at the commission’s PVC collection centre at Oyinlola DC School, Ward 2, Okuku.

The stolen items are reported to include Permanent Voter Cards and Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices.

Oketola said the commission had reported the incident to the police, adding that investigation was already ongoing.