The Independent National Electoral Commission on Sunday called on security agencies to immediately facilitate the release of its officials held hostage in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

The commission described the development as detrimental to credible elections.

The All Progressives Congress, APC, had earlier kicked against what it described as an attempt to move the collation of results for Brass Local Government Area to Yenogoa, the Bayelsa State capital.

The party alleged the move was a calculated attempt to manipulate the result of the votes in favour of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

INEC in a short statement via its X handle said: ” The Commission is closely watching the situation in Brass LGA of Bayelsa State where our officials are held hostage.

“This is detrimental to credible elections. We call on the security agencies to immediately facilitate their release.

About three local government results have been announced by the commission. Collation of results for the remaining five local government areas is expected to resume at 3pm.