Gunmen have abducted a staff member of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Anambra State, demanding a ransom of ₦40 million, following coordinated attacks along the Ebenebe axis of Awka North Local Government Area.
The victim, identified as Christy Nkiru Okeke, was reportedly kidnapped around 7:00 p.m. on July 24. Her husband later reported the incident to the B Division Police Headquarters in Awka after the abductors contacted the family with a ₦40 million ransom demand.
In a related development, a businessman, Emmanuel Nwobodo, narrowly escaped a similar attack earlier that evening near Ebenebe Community Secondary School.
According to reports, four armed men dressed in dark clothing opened fire on his Mercedes-Benz while he was returning home from Oba.
Despite the attack, Nwobodo managed to flee the scene but later discovered he had sustained a gunshot wound to his left knee. His vehicle also suffered significant damage.
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During the incident, one of his staff members, Tochukwu Afunenu, reportedly fled into a nearby bush with the businessman’s ATM card and two mobile phones.
Suspicion arose when voice messages were later sent from the staff member’s phone, claiming he had been kidnapped and also demanding a ₦40 million ransom.
Security operatives have since launched a manhunt, conducting extensive searches and intelligence-led operations to rescue the abducted INEC official and apprehend those responsible.
Authorities are currently investigating whether both incidents, which occurred within a short time frame along the same route, were carried out by the same criminal group.
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