Security operatives have rescued 31 officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) engaged in the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise after gunmen attacked their bus along the Dekina–Ajiyolo–Anyigba Road in Kogi State.
The attack occurred around 6 p.m. on Friday, November 7, 2025, as the officials were returning from Abocho and surrounding communities where they had participated in the voter registration exercise.
Residents said over 40 CVR officials were travelling in a bus they had chartered to convey them to Dekina, the local government headquarters, when gunmen laid ambush and opened fire.
According to local sources, the assailants forced the vehicle to a halt and abducted several passengers before security operatives swiftly mobilised to the scene.
Troops of the 12 Brigade, Lokoja, working in collaboration with members of a local security network, reportedly pursued the attackers into the surrounding forest.
“The kidnappers played a fast one on us,” a source familiar with the rescue operation said. “They released about 31 victims, and we thought that was all. We relaxed, not knowing they had gone away with about 10 others. By the time we realised their trick, they were already far.
“When the profiles of the victims were taken, it was realized that there are about 10 members of the community still missing including the driver of the bus.”
The released victims, mostly residents of Abocho community, were safely evacuated, while about 10 persons, including the bus driver, remain unaccounted for. The rescued bus was later recovered and taken to the Abocho Police Station.
As of Saturday evening, security operatives were still combing the area in search of the remaining abducted officials.
The Kogi State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement at the time of filing this report.
