Gunmen have killed an official of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Imo State.

The official identified as Nwokorie Anthony was shot dead during the Continuous Voter Registration Exercise (CVR) in Ihitte Uboma Local Government Area of the state on Thursday.

Two other staff involved in the registration exercise at the polling unit are also missing.

According to the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. Emeka Ezeonu, Nwokorie was killed at Nkwo Ihitte (PU 004) in Amakohia Ward (RA 02) of Ihitte Uboma LGA, while whereabouts of two other staff involved in the registration exercise were unknown.

Following the tragic incident, the electoral commission suspended the exercise in the LGA.

A National Commissioner of INEC and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, announced the development in a statement on Thursday.

“Prior to this incident, the commission had suspended the CVR in Orsu and Njaba Local Government areas of the state on account of insecurity while the exercise is taking place only at the INEC LGA office in Oru East, Oru West, Orlu and Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Areas of the state,” Okoye said.

“The commission extends its condolences to the family of Nwokorie Anthony and prays that God will grant them the fortitude to bear the loss. The incident has been reported to security agencies to unravel the circumstances that led to this unfortunate incident and bring the culprits to justice,”

He urged the President General of the various Town Unions in Imo State as well as all the critical stakeholders to protect staff of the commission engaged in national assignment.

“The safety and security of staff is of paramount importance to the commission, particularly with the devolution of the voter registration exercise beyond our state and local government area offices nation in our determination to serve Nigerians better.”