Hoodlums raze INEC office in Enugu

Hoodlums have razed the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Igboeze North Local Government Area of Enugu State.

It was gathered that the INEC office was set ablaze by the hoodlums at about 11 pm on Sunday.

The incident was confirmed by the commission’s National Commissioner, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, on Monday.

Okoye, who confirmed the incident via a statement made available to The Star, said although no casualties were reported, 748 ballot boxes, 240 voting cubicles, office furniture and equipment were destroyed.

He stated that the incident was reported by the INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner for Enugu State, Mr. Emeka Ononamadu, adding that the hoodlums overpowered the security guards, forced their way into the premises, and set the building ablaze.

“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,” Okoye said.

He further described the attack, which is coming amidst the voter registration exercise and other preparations for the 2023 general election, as worrisome.

Okoye noted that the commission will continue to work with security agencies and the emergency services to protect the commission’s facilities.

It would be recalled that the INEC office in the Igboeze South Local Government Area of Enugu State was attacked by gunmen on May 23, 2021.

This followed attacks on INEC office in Udenu Local Government Area of the state on May 13, 2021, and the commission’s headquarters in Enugu on May 16, 2021.

INEC has however resumed normal activities in the affected areas, including the CVR and collection of PVCs.

The Star