Hoodlums Attack National Electoral Office In Enugu, Burn Vehicles

When hoodlums stormed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Enugu State, they razed about six cars.

This is the third assault on the Commission’s facility in the state, which occurred late Sunday night.

Festus Okoye, the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, characterized the attack as unfortunate in a statement released on Monday.

He also said that the unidentified attackers set fire to the foyer and vandalized some of the building’s offices.

The relentless attacks on the commission’s facilities, according to Okoye, pose a serious threat to the country’s electoral activities.

He also stated that the commission would meet with the Resident Electoral Commissioners for an emergency meeting on Wednesday.

The statement read, “Last night Sunday 16th May 2021, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Enugu State, Emeka Ononamadu, reported an attack on the State Headquarters Office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Enugu.

“Some unidentified persons overpowered the security guard on duty around 9 pm and tried to set the entire building ablaze. The attention of the security agencies, as well as the Federal and State Fire Services in Enugu, was drawn to the unfolding situation and they responded swiftly.

“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) utility pick-up vehicles (Toyota Hilux) were burnt down while two (2) more were smashed and damaged.

“The security agencies who were at the scene have commenced an investigation. As we categorically mentioned in our earlier statements, the spate of attacks on the Commission’s facilities portends danger to national electoral activities.

“The commission is holding an emergency meeting with the RECs on Wednesday, 19th May, 2021 and further statements will be released ahead of another emergency meeting with heads of all security agencies in the country under the auspices of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).”