Unidentified hoodlums set INEC office ablaze in Enugu

Arsonists yet to be identified set the INEC office at Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State ablaze on Sunday morning.

The Chief Fire Officer in Enugu State, Chief Okwudili Ohaa said the service received a distress call at about 1:30 a.m. and sent out firefighters.

“As usual, when we received the distress call our trucks and men at Ozalla Station quickly moved to the scene. “We equally mobilised fire engines and firefighters from Enugu metropolis.

“Our prompt intervention saved the entire complex as only one office room was affected in the raging fire before it was extinguished,” he said.

Festus Okoye, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, said the commission had been briefed about the attack by the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Emeka Ononamadu.

In a statement, Okoye said the fire caused 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.”