Bandits Kidnap Three INEC Staff and Passengers in Kogi: Fresh Concerns Over Pre-Election Security

Suspected bandits have heightened security fears in Kogi State following the reported abduction of three female staff members of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters in Abuja, alongside several other passengers. The incident occurred on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, along the volatile Aloma highway in the Ofu Local Government Area, close to the Benue State border.

The INEC officials identified as Chinenye Oji, Adamaka Anih, and Catherine Temaugee were traveling on official assignment to Anambra State in preparation for the upcoming off-cycle governorship election slated for November 8. Their crucial duties included the printing of the voters' register and other preparatory materials.

According to reports from a relative of one of the victims, the group was traveling in a Sienna bus boarded in Utako, Abuja. The armed assailants ambushed the vehicle around 3 p.m. on the notorious Ajaokuta–Otukpo highway stretch. The kidnappers opened fire, shattering the vehicle's windscreen, before forcing the occupants to a halt and marching them into the nearby forest.

In a small act of reprieve, the gunmen reportedly released an elderly woman who was struggling to walk due to a leg ailment, along with the driver, who was instructed to take her to the nearest town. The whereabouts of the remaining victims, including the three INEC staff and the driver's wife, remain unknown.

The latest abduction casts a dark shadow over the security of election officials and citizens traveling through the North-Central region. As of the time of reporting, there has been an apparent delay in an official confirmation or statement regarding the incident.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Kogi State Police Command, Mr. William Aya, stated he was unaware of the development but promised to investigate. Efforts to reach the INEC spokesperson, Samuel Olumekun, for comment were also unsuccessful.

This brazen attack underscores the escalating threat of banditry and kidnapping that has plagued the highways of Kogi State. The Aloma highway, in particular, has become a hotbed for criminal activity in recent months.

The state government has previously committed to flushing out criminal elements and had reported successes in apprehending suspected kidnappers and their collaborators. However, the latest incident highlights the persistent and evolving nature of the security crisis, especially as major elections approach.

Security analysts are calling for urgent, coordinated action from both federal and state security forces to ensure the safe release of the kidnapped INEC staff and other passengers, and to secure all critical routes ahead of key electoral processes.