LAGOS, March 18 (Xinhua) -- The Nigerian police rescued 17 staff members of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) who were kidnapped by gunmen in the southern state of Imo, an official said on Saturday.
Chinenye Chijioke-Osuji, a spokesperson for the electoral body in the state, confirmed the development to reporters, saying they were rescued after a distress call, and information about the incident was disclosed to the security operatives who swung into action immediately in the early hours of Saturday.
The INEC officials were on their way to seven different polling units in the state where they were kidnapped.
The INEC is the electoral body that oversees elections in Nigeria, which is having governorship and state house of assembly elections in 28 out of the 36 states. ■