By Princely Onyenwe, Abuja
Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Imo State Nigeria Professor Emeka Ezeonu, has disclosed the inhuman act meted on one of his staff while discharging his Official function in Orlu area of the state.
It was confirmed that one INEC staff was shot death by unknown gunmen while the other two staffs ran for their dear lives to an unknown destination till the time of this report, there whereabout are yet to be known as gathered by Newsmen.
REC Ezeonu said 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 were unknown.
An official of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), identified as Nwokorie Anthony has been shot dead during the Continuous Voter Registration Exercise (CVR) exercise in Ihitte Uboma Local Government Area of Imo State.
A National Commissioner of INEC and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, announced on Thursday that due to the tragic incident the commission has suspended the registration exercise in the LGA.
“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.
Okoye 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.”
He however urged the President General of the various Town Unions in Imo State as well as all the critical stakeholders to protect staff of the commission engaged in national assignment.
This has raised more tensions across the states and at every ward in Imo state as the electioneering period draws near While the citizens most importantly the Electorates are calling on Security agencies to re strategise for the safety of both the voters and the umpires.
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