INEC Staff Shot Dead In Imo, 2 Others Missing

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has suspended the ongoing Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) in Imo State following the killing of one of its staff members in Ihitte Uboma Local Government Area of the state.

Mr Nwokorie Anthony, a staff member of the Commission involved in the CVR exercise in Imo State, was reportedly shot dead in Nkwo Ihitte (PU 004) in Amakohia Ward (RA 02) in Ihitte Uboma Local Government Area of the state.

Quoting a report by the Imo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Professor Emeka Ezeonu, INEC in a statement signed by Festus Okoye, Esq. a National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voters Education Committee, said the Commission is making efforts to locate the whereabouts of two remaining staff members involved in the CVR exercise.

The Commission further said that before the incident, it has suspended the CVR exercise in Orsu and Njaba local government areas of the state owing to insecurity while the exercise is taking place at the Commission’s LGA offices in Oru East, Oru West, Orlu and Ohaji-Egbema local government areas of the state.

“The Commission extends its condolences to the family of Nwokorie Anthony and prays that God will grant them the fortitude to bear the loss. The incident has been reported to security agencies to unravel the circumstances that led to the unfortunate incident and bring the culprits to justice.

“We enjoin President-Generals of the various town unions in Imo State, as well as all the critical stakeholders to protect staff (members) of the Commission engaged in national assignment. The security and safety of staff (members) is of paramount importance to the Commission, particularly with the devolution of the voter’s registration exercise beyond our state and local government area offices nationwide in our determination to serve Nigeria better”, the statement concluded.