By There was palpable tension in Amakohia Ward of Ihitte Uboma Local Government Area of Imo State on Thursday after gunmen invaded the centre where the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise for the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) was being held.
According to reports, an official of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was shot dead, while two others have been declared missing.
The attackers are suspected to be members of the proscribed separatist group, Independent People of Biafra (IPOB).
The incident was captured in a now-viral video which was made by one of the gunmen. A male voice could be heard in the background calling their victims — who were seen lying helpless on the bare floor — unprintable names as gunshots rented the air.
“We don’t want any election, no more election,” the assailant said.
Confirming the attack in a statement issued by its Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, INEC said it has suspended the CVR exercise in the affected LGA.
The statement reads in part, “The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has suspended the Continuous Voter Registration Exercise (CVR) exercise in Ihitte Uboma Local Government Area of Imo State.
“This is sequel to a report by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Professor Emeka Ezeonu, to the effect that today, 14th of April 2022, Mr. Nwokorie Anthony, a staff of the Imo State office of the Commission involved in the ongoing CVR exercise, was shot dead by unknown gunmen at Nkwo Ihitte (PU 004) in Amakohia Ward (RA 02) of Ihitte Uboma Local Government Area.
“The REC further reported that the state office is making efforts to locate the whereabouts of the two remaining staff involved in the registration exercise.
“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.”
