Unidentified gunmen, suspected to be kidnappers, have abducted staff members of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) along Aloma Road in Kogi State on Tuesday evening, October 21, 2025. Reports indicate that at least three female INEC officials were among those taken in the brazen attack.

According to initial findings, the victims were travelling from Abuja to Anambra State on an official assignment. Their mission was to oversee the printing of voters’ registers and other essential election materials ahead of the upcoming Kogi governorship election, scheduled for the first week of November.

Eyewitnesses reported that the attack occurred when armed assailants blocked the road, opening fire on the INEC vehicle and shattering its windscreen. Though none of the occupants were hit by bullets, the gunmen forced all passengers out of the vehicle before whisking them away to an unknown location. The abductees reportedly include the INEC staff, the driver, and his wife.

Security sources say the attack has heightened anxiety across Kogi’s central districts, where incidents of kidnapping have persisted despite recent security operations. Residents have urged state authorities to intensify patrols and enhance coordination between local vigilantes and federal forces.

As of press time, efforts to contact the Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer for confirmation or updates have been unsuccessful. The police are yet to issue an official statement, and details regarding the victims’ whereabouts remain unclear.

This abduction comes amid growing national concern over the safety of election officials and the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process. Civil groups and election observers have repeatedly called for stronger measures to safeguard INEC personnel, especially in volatile regions.