The attack on Enugu headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission by yet to be identified gunmen has led to the burning of 8 operational vehicles of the commission and 6 other vehicles parked in the premises were vandalised
This is coming barely four days after the Commission’s local government office at Udenu was attacked and most of the offices, equipments and files destroyed.
The attack which has been confirmed by both the police and the commission happened around 9:00pm on Sunday, 16th May, 2021.
According to INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye Esq., the “unidentified persons overpowered the security personnel on duty and tried to set the entire building ablaze.
“The attackers set the foyer ablaze, vandalised some offices in the main building and
caused extensive damage to some of the Commission’s movable assets within the
premises.
“Six (6) utilility pick up vehicles (Toyota Hilux) were burnt down while two (2) more were smashed and damaged.”
INEC also warned that, “the spate of attacks on the Commission’s facilities portends danger to national electoral activities.”
Addressing pressmen, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Enugu State, Cheif Emeka Ononamadu, said the plan of the attackers was to completely burn down the entire building having gained access into the premises but the swift response of the security agents and men of Enugu State Fire Service thwarted that.
Ononamadu told news men that after the attack on their office at Udenu, they made arrangements for security but with the incident that happened last night, it’s clear that their arrangement wasn’t sufficient because the hoodlums overpowered their men on duty.
He also thanked the men of Enugu State Fire Service for their timely response which helped in no small way to bring the fire under control and avoid the complete burning down of the building.
The Commission is holding an emergency meeting with the Resident Electoral
Commissioners (RECs) on Wednesday 19th May 2021 under the auspices of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on
Election Security (ICCES).
However, the Enugu State Police spokesman, ASP Daniel Ndukwe said the Commissioner, CP Mohammed Ndatsu Aliyu “has ordered emplacement of adequate security within the precincts of the office and the launch of a full-scale investigation to unravel the mystery behind the act as well as fish out the assailants.”
Source: Journalist101
