Gunmen shot INEC official dead in Imo, voter registration suspended

Gunmen were on the rampage in Imo State on Thursday attacking officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), during the Continuous Voter Registration Exercise and killed one of the officials,  Mr Nwokorie Anthony.

The official killed in the Ihitte Uboma Local Government Area of the state prompted INEC to suspend the voter registration exercise in the area.

According to the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. Emeka Ezeonu, Nwokorie was killed at Nkwo Ihitte (PU 004) in Amakohia Ward (RA 02) of Ihitte Uboma LGA, while whereabouts of two other staff involved in the registration exercise are unknown.

Based on the tragic incident, the electoral commission suspended the exercise in the LGA.

A National Commissioner of INEC and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, announced this on Thursday.

“Prior to this incident, the commission had suspended the CVR in Orsu and Njaba Local Government areas of the state on account of insecurity while the exercise is taking place only at the INEC LGA office 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 this unfortunate incident and bring the culprits to justice,” Okoye said.

He urged the leaders of the various town unions in Imo State as well as all the critical stakeholders to protect workers of the commission engaged in national assignment.

He said, “The safety and security of staff is of paramount importance to the commission, particularly with the devolution of the voter registration exercise beyond our state and local government area offices nation in our determination to serve Nigerians better.”