The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has confirmed yesterday’s attack on its Igboeze North Local Government Area office, saying the facility was set ablaze by unknown arsonists.
INEC’s National Commissioner of Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, said in a statement on Monday that the commission received a report from the Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, for Enugu State, Mr. Emeka Ononamadu, that the attack happened at 11.48pm on Sunday, 3rd July 2022.
Okoye noted that the arsonists overpowered security guards on duty and forced their way into the premises before setting 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,” he said
According to him, the incident has been reported to the Nigeria Police for investigation and further action.
He stated that the attack, coming in the middle of the voter registration exercise and other preparations for 2023 General Election, is worrisome.
It would be recalled that on 23rd May 2021, INEC’s office in the neighbouring Igboeze South Local Government Area was attacked in a similar manner by unknown gunmen.
The attack on Igboeze South Local Government office 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,” Okoye said.