Crime
Hoodlums set INEC office ablaze in Enugu
A group of unknown arsonists have razed down the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State.
The incident was confirmed on Sunday by the INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education, Festus Okoye.
According to reports the attack took place in the early hours of Sunday, which caused extensive damage to the election materials that were stored in the building.
Okoye noted that before the attack, all movable election materials had been evacuated due to previous attacks on the commission’s offices in the region.
There were no casualties during the attack.
“The identity or motives of attackers are unknown while the incident has been reported to the Nigeria Police Force for investigation,” the statement read.
“This unfortunate incident is the first since the last attack on our facilities four months ago in May 2021.”
Okey lauded the rapid response of security operatives to the area. The police, Army, Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps as well the Enugu State Fire Service and the Awgu Local Government Neighbourhood Watch, were all mobilised to the area after the attack.
The latest incident is the most recent of attacks by hoodlums on INEC structures in the Southeast.
In May, the commission’s headquarters in Enugu was burnt down, three days after another office in Obollo-Afor, Udenu LGA of the state, was also set ablaze.
INEC had earlier warned that repeated attacks on its offices will affect its preparations for the 2023 general election.
The commission had said sensitive and non-sensitive materials, including generators and card readers, were destroyed during the attacks.
