The victims were returning from Kupa North and South in Kogi State's Lokoja Local Government Area when they were attacked by armed hoodlums.
The abductors of six Independent National Electoral Commission officials who took part in the Kogi State governorship and state House of Assembly elections have asked for N50million ransom for their release.
Addressing a press conference on Monday on behalf of the families of the kidnapped victims in Lokoja, Babalola Peter, an Assistant Presiding Officer II in the March 18 Kogi House of Assembly election, said his sister was among those still held captive, PUNCH reports.
It could be recalled that during the Kogi State House of Assembly election on March 19, 2023, some INEC staff were kidnapped in Obajana in the early hours of Sunday, March 19, 2023.
The victims were said to be returning from Kupa North and South in Kogi State's Lokoja Local Government Area when they were attacked by armed hoodlums.
But the Police Public Relation Officer in Kogi State, SP William Aya, had in a statement issued to journalists concerning the incident said 96 persons were rescued by the police, three injured while two victims were yet to be accounted for.
Peter, the brother of one of the victims, questioned the Nigeria Police Force's claim that all of the kidnapped victims had been rescued.
Muhammed Maimunat and Abdulrahaman Raji, two serving corps members, were mentioned as those still in the hands of the kidnappers.
The INEC ad-hoc staff who are still in captivity according to Peter are, Oyaniran Atinuke Ruth, Florence Shayo Ajayi, Opara Tina and Blessing.
Explaining how the ugly incident occurred on that day, Peter said, “We had three police officers with us, but only one was armed. When the armed robber attacked us, the armed police officer instructed us to pull off our white and run for our dear life. After everyone was running for their life, I discovered that I didn’t see my sister, Oyaniran Atinuke Ruth.
“The incident happened between 1am and 2am. Those people that were kidnapped were directly from our bus. We told the security agency including INEC that we are still looking for six people including my sister. They said we should not worry that we will find them. Up till now, nothing has been done. I was shocked when I read in some newspapers that the kidnapped victims have been rescued. Nothing of such. They contacted us recently, demanding for N50million.
“The kidnappers keep calling us with different numbers. You cannot call them, but they can only call you. They even told us to send them recharge card which we did just because we don’t want them to hurt my sister and every other victim in their custody.”
However, he urged the government and security agencies to work together to free the abducted victims.
Attempts to reach the state Police Public Relations Officer in Kogi State, SP William Aya, proved futile as of the time of filing this report, as he did not pick up calls or respond to text messages sent to his phone lines.