INEC official found dead on Anambra road

A principal executive officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), identified as Duruocha Joel, has been found dead along a road in Anambra.

In a statement on Friday, Festus Okoye, INEC national commissioner and chairman, information and voter education committee, said Joel was reported missing in Anambra on Wednesday.

He said the official’s body was found along a road in Awka north LGA.

“On Wednesday, 28th September 2022, the Commission’s Administrative Secretary in Anambra State, Mr. Okwuonu Jude, reported the disappearance of a staff, Mr. Duruocha Osita Joel, a Principal Executive Officer II on Grade Level 10,” the statement reads.

“On Thursday, 29th September, the Administrative Secretary further informed the Commission that Mr. Duruocha’s dead body was found along Isu-Aniocha-Urum road in Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State, where unknown persons dumped him.

“Other staff members of the Commission, Duruocha’s brother, and the Police have evacuated the body and deposited same in the morgue.”

Okoye said the police and other security agencies have commenced an investigation to determine the circumstances that led to Joel’s disappearance and eventual death.

Officials of INEC have suffered attacks in recent times.

In July, gunmen attacked INEC officials carrying out voter registration in Igboeze LGA of Enugu.

The attack came days after the commission’s office in the same LGA was set ablaze by hoodlums.