Armed Group Attacks INEC Office In Southeast, Destroys 8 Vehicles

The Enugu state, Southeast Nigeria office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Sunday night, May 16, came under attack by an armed group who set six vehicles ablaze after they overpowered the security operatives attached to the office.

Festus Okoye, INEC Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, in a Channels Television report, said the attackers attempted to set the entire building ablaze after destroying two more vehicles.

Okoye who disclosed the news of the attack via a statement on Monday, May 17, said 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,” the INEC chief said.

“Six utility pick up vehicles (Toyota Hilux) were burnt down while two more were smashed and damaged. The security agencies who were at the scene have commenced an investigation.”

INEC offices in the Southeast are facing growing attacks by armed groups, with a recent attack on Thursday, May 13, when the Commission’s office in Enugu State was also involved in an arson.

In Ohafia  Local Government Area of Abia State, INEC office was set ablaze a week earlier after the Commission’s Headquarters in Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, was also razed.

The electoral commission has said it would hold an emergency meeting with all Resident Electoral Commissioners across the states in the region over attacks on its offices following.

The Commission has lamented the spate of attacks on its facilities, noting that it portends danger to national electoral activities.

It has also expressed concerns that the attacks pose a danger to national electoral activities.