Just In: Arsonists overpowered security guards, set our Enugu Office ablaze – INEC reports

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, says arsonists overpowered security guards, forced their way into its Igboeze North Local Government Area Office in Enugu State, about at 11.48pm, yesterday, Sunday July 3 and set the office ablaze.

The Commission, in a statement released this morning, Monday July 4, noted that the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Enugu State, Mr. Emeka Ononamadu, reported the incident.

According to the statement signed by the National Commissioner, Information and Voter Education Committee of INEC, Festus Okoye Esq.: “No casualties were reported, 748 ballot boxes, 240 voting cubicles, office furniture and equipment were destroyed in spite of the best effort of the Enugu State Fire Service deployed from Nsukka”.

While noting that it, “is working to ascertain the status of voter registration machines for the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise as well as uncollected Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) locked up in the fireproof cabinet”, the Commission, added: “The incident has been reported to the Nigeria Police for investigation and further action.

“The attack, coming in the middle of the voter registration exercise and other preparations for 2023 General Election, is worrisome. It will be recalled that on 23rd May 2021, our office in the neighbouring Igboeze South Local Government Area was attacked in a similar manner by unknown gunmen. This followed earlier attacks on Udenu Local Government Area office on 13th May 2021 and the State Headquarters in Enugu on 16th May 2021. 

“The Commission has since substantially recovered from these attacks and resumed normal activities there, including the CVR and collection of PVCs. The Commission will continue to work with the security agencies and the emergency services to protect our facilities”.

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