Gunmen Abduct INEC Staff in Anambra, Demand ₦40m, Shoot Businessman in Separate Attack

Gunmen have abducted an employee of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Anambra State and demanded a ₦40 million ransom after carrying out separate attacks along the Ebenebe axis of Awka North Local Government Area.

The incidents reportedly occurred within an hour of each other on July 24, raising fresh concerns over insecurity in the area.

According to security analyst Zagazola Makama, the abducted INEC employee, identified as Christy Nkiru Okeke, was seized by armed men at about 7:00 p.m.

Her husband later reported the incident to the B Division Police Headquarters in Awka after the kidnappers contacted the family and demanded ₦40 million for her release.

Earlier the same evening, businessman Emmanuel Nwobodo narrowly escaped being abducted after suspected gunmen attacked his vehicle near Ebenebe Community Secondary School.

The report stated that four armed men dressed in dark clothing opened fire on Nwobodo’s Mercedes-Benz while he was returning home from Oba.

Despite the attack, the businessman managed to drive away before discovering he had sustained a gunshot wound to his left knee.

His vehicle also suffered damage to its radiator and rear seat belt guard during the incident.

One of Nwobodo’s employees, Tochukwu Afunenu, reportedly fled into a nearby bush while carrying the businessman’s ATM card and two mobile phones.

The businessman later became suspicious after voice messages were allegedly sent from the employee’s phone claiming he had been kidnapped and demanding a ₦40 million ransom.

Security operatives are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the messages to determine whether they were linked to the earlier attack.

According to the report, police have launched extensive search operations across the surrounding bushes while intelligence-led efforts are ongoing to rescue the abducted INEC official and apprehend those responsible.

Investigators are also examining whether both incidents, which occurred along the same road within a short period, were carried out by the same criminal gang.

The attacks have heightened concerns about the safety of residents and travellers using the Ebenebe corridor, with authorities assuring the public that efforts to track down the perpetrators and secure the victims’ release remain ongoing.