By Unknown arsonists have set ablaze the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Igboaze North Local Government Area of Enugu State.
Festus Okoye, the INEC National Commissioner, Information and Voter Education Committee, confirmed the development in a statement on Monday.
According to the statement, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Enugu, Emeka Ononamadu said the attack happened around 11.48pm on Sunday night.
The arsonists were said to have overpowered the security guards, forced their way into the premises and set the building ablaze.
The statement reads in part, “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.”
Okoye further described the attack which comes in the middle of the voter registration exercise and other preparations for 2023 general election as “worrisome”.
“It will be recalled that on 23rd May 2021, our office in the neighbouring Igbocze 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,” he added.
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