Gunmen on yesterday killed one staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Imo state.
It was gathered that the INEC staff, Anthony Nwokorie, who was killed was in charge of the polling unit where the gunmen attacked.
The tragedy occured at Isinweke, the headquarters of the Ihitte/ Uboma Local Government Area of the state.
It was reported that the registration of Permanent Voter’s Cards was on going when the gunmen numbering over ten stormed the scene, killed one person and dispersed the crowed.
They were said to be angry with the on going registration and transfer of PVCs by the residents of the area ahead of 2023 general election.
The deceased was shot on his chest and he died on the spot, an eyewitness who spoke on condition of anonymity confided in our correspondent.
The source said” the registration was on-going when gun wielding men stormed the arena and opened fire. They shot one of the INEC staff on the chest and he died on the spot. Others who scampered for safety sustained injuries.
” They were angry that INEC was carrying out the exercise in the area. Their mission from the way they operated was to disrupt the exercise which they succeeded in doing. This is not good for our people as we call for a president of South East extraction in 2023.”
When contacted, the police spokesperson in Imo state, Micheal Abattam, said that the command had not officially received any report concerning the incident.
The member representing Ihitte Uboma LGA at the state house of Assembly, Hon.Onyemaechi Njoku, who confirmed the death of one INEC staff to our correspondent, described the attack as senseless, and provoking.
He said that an official report would be lodged at the the police.
But INEC said that apart from the death of one of its staff during the attack, two other staff of the electoral umpire were missing.
A statement issued by INEC’s national commissioner and chairman information and Voter Education committee,Mr Festus Okoye, said that the commissioner had suspended the continuous Voter Registration Exercise in the Ihitte Uboma LGA followng the attack.
Recall that INEC had suspended the Continuous Voter Registration Exercise in Orsu and Njaba LGAs of the state following reports of spates of insecurity in the area.
