Bayelsa Election Violence:INEC Officials Held Hostage,many Feared Dead

The Independent National Electoral Commission,INEC, has reported that some of its officials deployed to distribute electoral materials at Sagbama local government area of Bayelsa State are being held hostage.

INEC’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, revealed that the staff were attacked by some gunmen which forced them to seek shelter at the local government headquarters.

Osaze-Uzzi who made the disclosure on Nigerian Television Authority,NTA, also reported that another team was held hostage Saturday morning as they made to distribute materials.

“We are asking that a gunboat be sent to the place immediately. If necessary, they will have to be evacuated and brought back to Abuja,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Inspector-General of Police overseeing the election, Argungu Hashimu, says the police is on top of the situation.

“We are taking care of everything. We are the ones on ground and we are doing our job,” he said.

At least four Persons have been reported killed and several others injured in a violent incident in Nembe, Opotoma area of the Southern part of Ijaw. The real cause of the bloody fracas cannot be ascertained at the moment.