The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that its governorship election collation officer for Gboko LGA in Benue State, Prof. (Mrs.) C.D Tuluen, was shot at and injured on her way to Makurdi.
She was carrying with her the LGA collated result sheet when her convoy of vehicles was ambushed.
The commission said the injured officer is presently receiving treatment in the hospital.
“While wishing her a speedy recovery, INEC wishes to point out that all its ad-hoc and permanent staff are insured against such mishaps and the Commission is responsible for all hospital bills and medical expenses of all such injured staff.
“The incident has been reported to the law enforcement officers and we will closely monitor the investigation,” the commission said.
Earlier, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Benue, Dr Nentawe Yilwatda, had confirmed the attack on the commission’s convoy on Gboko-Makurdi road by unknown gunmen on Saturday night.
Yilwatda told Journalists in the early hours of Sunday at the INEC headquarters Makurdi, that the Returning Officer for the Governorship supplementary polls in Gboko, Prof. Comfort Tuleun was hit by a bullet during the attack.
”At about 8:30 pm this evening an attack was launched on a convoy of INEC personnel returning to Makurdi Collation Centre from Gboko LGA after the close of the Governorship and State Assembly Supplementary polls by unknown gunmen.
”In the course of the attack on the convoy including INEC permanent and ad hoc staff as well as security agencies at Tarka LGA, Prof. Comfort Tuleun, the Gboko LGA Collation Officer for the governorship election was hit by bullets and she is currently receiving treatment.
”The wounded collation officer is from the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi (FUAM).
”INEC regrets this unfortunate incident and calls on security agencies to work tirelessly to apprehend these miscreants and bring them to judgment.
”Meanwhile, as a result of this incident, the commission has no choice but to appoint Dr Joseph Mom of FUAM to replace the wounded official,” Yilwatda said
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