From Maurice Okafor,Enugu.
The office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Awgu local government area,Enugu state was on Sunday,September 19,set ablaze by yet to be identified hoodlums. The incident occurred in the early hours of the day.
An eyewitness told news men that the arsonists climbed over the walls of the office before setting some of the offices ablaze. But the quick intervention of fire fighters from Enugu State Fire Service saved a lot of damages.
The Enugu state police command confirmed the incident. The state police image maker,Daniel Ndukwe said the command has commenced investigation to track down the arsonists.
The victim, Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) has also confirmed the incident.
The National Commissioner and chairman Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye(Esq), said he was duly informed by the Enugu state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr Emeka Ononamadu. He revealed that no life was lost during the attack by the hoodlums and INEC sensitive materials were earlier on evacuated from outside stations to the state headquarters, aftermath of their initial experience.
His press statement made available to The AUTHORITY reads,
“Our Resident Electoral Commissioner for Enugu State, Mr. Emeka Ononamadu, reported an attack on the INEC office in Awgu Local Government Area of the State.
The building was set ablaze this morning, Sunday 19th September 2021, resulting in extensive damage to mainly the stores section where election materials are kept’.
“Fortunately, all movable election materials had been evacuated following recent attacks on our offices in the State. There are no casualties in the incident”.
“The identity or motives of attackers are unknown while the incident has been reported to the Nigeria Police Force for investigation”.
‘The Commission appreciates the prompt response of the security agencies comprising the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) as well the Enugu State Fire Service and the Awgu Local Government Neighbourhood Watch”.
‘This unfortunate incident is the first since the last attack on our facilities four months ago in May 2021’.
The AUTHORITY recall that the INEC office in Udenu local government area and the the INEC state headquarters, located at Independent layout,Enugu were initially set ablaze by yet to be identified arsonists.
