Gunmen Abduct INEC Official During ADC Primary in Cross River

An official of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was briefly abducted on Thursday night when gunmen disrupted an African Democratic Congress (ADC) primary election in Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State.

The incident occurred around 11:15pm at Wummy Hotel in Ekori community, where the party’s primary was being conducted, according to security sources cited by counter-insurgency publication Zagazola Makama.

Eyewitness accounts said two armed groups stormed the venue in a coordinated attack, throwing the exercise into panic and forcing participants to flee for safety.

One of the groups reportedly seized the INEC returning officer, bundled him into a waiting vehicle, and compelled him to transfer about N70,000 from his account before speeding off. Another set of attackers on motorcycles was said to have carted away ballot boxes and other sensitive election materials.

The disruption was quickly escalated to security operatives in the area, prompting a rapid response. Military personnel deployed within Yakurr were said to have mounted an ambush along likely escape routes, intercepting the vehicle conveying the abducted official.

The INEC official was rescued alive during the operation, while three suspects were arrested. One of the armed attackers reportedly escaped into a nearby bush with a pistol, mobile phone, ATM card, travelling bag, and some of the election materials.

Security sources confirmed that both the rescued official and the suspects are currently in military custody as investigations continue. Efforts are also underway to track down the fleeing suspect and recover the remaining stolen items.

The incident adds to growing concerns over election security in parts of Cross River, where political activities have occasionally been disrupted by armed groups targeting electoral materials and officials.

Authorities say surveillance has been intensified across the area to prevent further attacks and ensure stability ahead of subsequent political engagements.