The hoodlums overpowered the security guards, forced their way into the premises and set the building ablaze.
By Emma Ogbuehi
Hoodlums have set ablaze the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC in Igboeze North Local Government Area of Enugu state, destroying about 748 ballot boxes and 240 voting cubicles in the process.
INEC National Commissioner in charge of Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye who made the disclosure in a statement issued Monday, said the action took place on Sunday night.
According to Okoye, the arsonists forced their way into the premises and set the building ablaze, after overpowering the security guards on duty.
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The statement reads:
“The Resident Electoral Commissioner for Enugu State, Mr. Emeka Ononamadu, reported that our Igboeze North Local Government Area office was set ablaze by unknown arsonists. The attack happened at 11.48pm on Sunday 3rd July 2022.
“The arsonists overpowered the security guards, forced their way into the premises and set the building ablaze. Although 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. The Commission 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 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.
Okoye recalled that on May 23, 2021, INEC office in the neighbouring Igboeze South Local Government Area was attacked in a similar manner by unknown gunmen.
That was on the heels of earlier attacks on Udenu Local Government Area office on May 13, 2021 and the State Headquarters in Enugu on May 16, 2021.
The Commission, he added, had since substantially recovered from these attacks and resumed normal activities there, including the CVR and collection of PVCs.
Even with the latest attack, Okoye assured that the Commission would continue to work with the security agencies and the emergency services to protect its facilities.