The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Imo State has been reportedly set ablaze by hoodlums who also kidnapped some construction workers.
This was stated in a statement released by Festus Okoye, INEC National Commissioner on Friday.
The statement reads: “The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Imo State, Professor Sylvia Uchenna Agu, reported that our office in Orlu Local Government Area was attacked. The incident occurred yesterday Thursday 1st December 2022.
“The building, which is undergoing extensive renovation following an earlier attack, was vandalised and partially set ablaze. Three out of seven construction workers were abducted but later released.”
Okoye stated that the damage would have been much worse if the police had not been quick in mobilising their men to the scene.
“This is one attack too many. The Commission once again expresses its concern over the spate of attacks on its facilities and the negative consequences on our preparations for the 2023 General Election,” he added.
Attacks on INEC offices have become commonplace across Nigeria, as the country prepares for elections early next year.
SaharaReporters had reported in November 2022 that INEC decried the incessant attacks on the commission’s local government office in Ogun State during which critical materials were also destroyed.
It was also reported that some hoodlums numbering about eight were said to have scaled the perimeter fence, jumped into the premises and set the INEC building on fire from the rear side.
However, the electoral umpire in an official statement in reaction to the fire attack, said over 65,000 uncollected PVCs were destroyed in the fire.
In the statement signed by INEC’s Commissioner for information and voter education, Okoye, the commission said that all moveable assets including 904 ballot boxes, 29 voting cubicles, 30 megaphones, 57 election bags, 8 electric power generators and 65,699 uncollected permanent voters cards (PVCs) were destroyed.
