INEC ad-hoc staff shot dead in Rivers

Sandra Nwaokolo

During the governorship and House of Assembly election on Saturday, an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ad hoc staff was shot and killed by political thugs in Ward 7 Abua Central, Abua-Odual local government area of Rivers State.

The incident occurred while the ad hoc staff was being rushed to the hospital for treatment, and another individual who was hit by stray bullets is currently receiving medical attention.

Reports also suggest that one person was killed during a gunfight between hoodlums and a joint security team comprising the Nigerian Army and Police at Ogbakiri community in Emohua Local Government Area.

A source from the community, who wished to remain anonymous, shared that the hoodlums had engaged in a firefight with rival political thugs and ran into the joint security team.

It is believed that the security team had received intelligence that the hoodlums attempted to escape through a track road to Rumuada clan farmland in Ogbakiri.

There were also reports of violence in Bori, the headquarters of Khana and Tai local government areas, both of which are in Ogoniland, where hired political thugs disrupted the election. The Rivers State Police Command confirmed one death in Abua-Odu.

In addition, elections were postponed in Degema and Asari-Toru local government areas due to protests by voters. Political party agents had prevented INEC from deploying electoral materials in Asari-Toru LG, insisting that they must see the Collation Officers.

Mark Osulo, Head of Voter Education and Publicity at INEC, Rivers State, confirmed the postponement of the elections in the two local government areas. He explained that it was wrong for voters to demand to see collation officers before allowing voting to take place.

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