The deceased, Anthony Nwokorie, was the officer in control of the polling unit where the gunmen attacked on Thursday, April 14, 2022.
The attackers, numbering over 10, disrupted the continued Continuous Voter Registration, killing one person person on the scene and dispersing the gang.
It was gathered that the gunmen have been displeased with the participation of the residents within the ongoing exercise ahead of the final elections in 2023.
In a video of the incident that surfaced on-line, the gunmen may be heard telling their captives that that they had warned them not to participate in any electoral exercise.
In the meantime, an eyewitness, who pleaded to stay nameless, confirmed to Punch that the INEC official was shot within the chest and died on the spot.
The source stated, “The registration was ongoing when gun-wielding males stormed the area and opened fireplace. They shot one of many INEC officers on the chest and he died on the spot, whereas others who scampered to security sustained accidents.
“They have been angry that INEC was finishing up the train within the area. Their mission from the best way they operated was to disrupt the train which they succeeded in doing. This isn’t good for our individuals as we call for a president of South-East extraction in 2023.”
Two INEC Officers missing
Confirming the event, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. Emeka Ezeonu, stated Nwokorie was killed at Nkwo Ihitte (PU 004) in Amakohia Ward (RA 02) of Ihitte Uboma LGA, including that two different employees concerned within the exercise are nowhere to be discovered.
On the back of the unhappy incident, INEC has introduced suspension of the registration train within the local government.
This was introduced on Thursday by the National Commissioner of INEC and Chairman, Data and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye.
Okoye stated, “Prior to this incident, the commission had suspended the CVR in Orsu and Njaba Local Government areas of the state on account of insecurity whereas the exercise is going down only on the INEC LGA workplace in Oru East, Oru West, Orlu and Ohaji-Egbema Local Authorities Areas of the state.”
“The fee extends its condolences to the household of Nwokorie Anthony and prays that God will grant them the fortitude to bear the loss. The incident has been reported to safety agencies to unravel the circumstances that led to this unlucky incident and produce the culprits to justice.”
He additionally called on the crucial stakeholders in Imo state, together with the President General of the various Town Unions to make sure safety and security of employees of the commission engaged in national project.
