Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Nigerian Army has rescued an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) official who was abducted by armed men during a primary election of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State. The incident occurred on the night of Friday, May 22, 2026, at approximately 11:15 p.m., when two groups of suspected kidnappers stormed the venue of the ADC primary election at Wummy Hotel in the Ekori community, according to a security update released by the 82 Division/Joint Task Force South-East, Operation UDO KA, on Saturday, May 23, 2026. The first group, operating in a Toyota Corolla with registration number ABJ 810HL, abducted the INEC Returning Officer, forced the victim into the vehicle, and compelled the official to transfer ₦70,000 before fleeing the scene, while a second group on motorcycles carted away ballot boxes from the venue.
Troops stationed in Yakurr Local Government Area acted swiftly on intelligence regarding the incident. They deployed to intercept the fleeing suspects, setting up an ambush along escape routes. The military vehicle interception led to the rescue of the abducted INEC official and the arrest of three suspects. However, one armed suspect reportedly managed to escape into the nearby bush, taking with him a bag containing a pistol, a mobile phone, an ATM card, and unspecified election materials. The second group of suspects, who had made off with the ballot boxes on motorcycles, also fled the scene and remain at large as of the time of this report.
The operation was part of a broader military crackdown on kidnapping and electoral violence in the South-East and South-South regions. The Nigerian Army confirmed that the rescued INEC official, the arrested suspects, and the recovered vehicle were all in military custody. The army also stated that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing criminals and recover the stolen ballot boxes. The military's update noted that the rescue was conducted without any casualties to security personnel, and the condition of the rescued official was not disclosed, though the official was described as having been forced to transfer money by the abductors.
The incident occurred just days after a Federal High Court in Abuja nullified key deadlines set by INEC for party primaries and candidate nominations, ruling that the electoral body had exceeded its powers by abridging timelines provided under the Electoral Act, 2026. Despite the legal uncertainty, political parties including the ADC had continued with their primary elections, and the attack in Yakurr highlighted the persistent security risks associated with electoral activities in parts of Cross River State.
The rescue operation in Yakurr was one of several successful military interventions across the South-East and South-South over the weekend. In a separate operation in Imo State, troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade, Forward Operating Base Izombe, in conjunction with a local security outfit, rescued three kidnapped victims along the Oguta-Owerri road in Oguta Local Government Area. The troops tracked the kidnappers to their hideout in the Okohia Umueju forest, where four victims were found in captivity. While three were rescued, one victim was killed by the kidnappers while attempting to escape. Items recovered from that operation included ₦987,500 in cash, suspected to be ransom proceeds, as well as five mobile phones and two power banks. In Enugu State, under Operation Eastern Sanity II, troops raided a house in Achi Town, Oji River Local Government Area, believed to be a cultist hideout, recovering eight motorcycles and two buckets of locally made gunpowder, and arresting three suspects, including an 85‑year‑old man and two women aged 26 and 29.
The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining operations to curb kidnapping and other criminal activities in the South-East and adjoining areas, a pledge that comes amid rising concerns over electoral violence and the safety of INEC officials as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections.
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