An ad-hoc staff member of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mr. Ajali Ignatius Efe, has alleged that he was abducted and threatened during the February 2023 presidential election in Edo State in an attempt to manipulate electoral results.
Efe, who served as an Assistant Presiding Officer II in Ozalla, Owan West Local Government Area, stated that the incident occurred while he and his Presiding Officer were performing their official duties at a polling unit.
According to his account, they were forcefully taken by suspected political thugs allegedly linked to a prominent political figure in the state and coerced into altering election results.
“The Presiding Officer and I were abducted by thugs who demanded that we change the results. It was a terrifying experience. When I insisted on standing by the truth, my life and the lives of my family members were threatened,” Efe said.
He further disclosed that the ordeal forced him into hiding for fear of retaliation, adding that he has since lost contact with the Presiding Officer, whose whereabouts remain unknown.
“I had to flee for my safety. To this day, I do not know if the Presiding Officer is still alive. That alone haunts me every day,” he added.
Efe described the experience as a stark reflection of the risks faced by electoral officials, particularly ad-hoc staff, when serving in volatile areas.
He cautioned that those preparing to serve in future elections should remain vigilant of the inherent risks involved in the process.
Efforts to obtain official comments from INEC and the Nigeria Police Force were unsuccessful as of press time.
While the electoral body has repeatedly assured Nigerians of its commitment to conducting credible elections and ensuring personnel safety, incidents such as this continue to raise concerns regarding the security of officers and the integrity of the process.
Meanwhile, Efe’s family has appealed to the police to intensify their investigation, identify the perpetrators, and ensure his continued safety.
They also expressed deep concern over the emotional and psychological trauma the incident has caused, noting that the uncertainty surrounding the fate of Efe’s colleague remains a significant source of distress.