Suspected gunmen have abducted an employee of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Anambra State and demanded a ₦40 million ransom, following separate attacks along the Ebenebe axis of Awka North Local Government Area.
The incident was disclosed by security analyst Zagazola Makama, who said the victim, identified as Christy Nkiru Okeke, was kidnapped at about 7:00 p.m. on July 24.
According to the report, Okeke’s husband later reported the abduction to the B Division Police Headquarters in Awka after the kidnappers contacted the family and demanded ₦40 million for her release.
Makama also revealed that about an hour before the abduction, a businessman, Emmanuel Nwobodo, narrowly escaped an attack near Ebenebe Community Secondary School.
The businessman was said to have been returning home from Oba when four armed men, dressed in dark clothing, allegedly opened fire on his Mercedes-Benz.
Despite the attack, Nwobodo managed to drive away before realising that he had been shot in the left knee. His vehicle also sustained damage to the radiator and rear seat belt guard.
During the attack, one of his staff members, Tochukwu Afunenu, reportedly fled into a nearby bush while carrying the businessman’s ATM card and two mobile phones.
The report added that Nwobodo later became suspicious after voice messages were allegedly sent from the staff member’s phone, claiming he had been kidnapped and demanding a ₦40 million ransom.
Police have since launched search operations in the surrounding bushes while intelligence teams continue efforts to rescue the abducted INEC official and track down those behind the attacks.
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