The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed a fire outbreak at its office in Gwadabawa Local Government Area (LGA), Sokoto State, destroying critical electoral materials and office infrastructure.
According to a statement released by Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner & Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, the incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, February 11, 2025. The fire completely damaged the building, affecting essential materials such as:
- 558 ballot boxes
- 186 voting enclosures (cubicles)
- 186 election bags
- Various Registration Area Centre (RAC) materials, including 12 large water tanks (1,000 litres), 400 sleeping mats, and 300 plastic buckets
INEC officials in Sokoto, led by the Administrative Secretary Mrs. Hauwa Aliyu Kangiwa, reported that a sudden power surge from the public electricity supply may have triggered the fire. However, the exact cause remains under investigation, with security and safety agencies already deployed to the scene.
No Casualties, INEC Seeks Temporary Office
While there were no injuries or fatalities, the damage to the INEC office raises concerns about election preparedness in the LGA. In response, the Commission has initiated plans to secure an alternative temporary facility to prevent major disruptions to its electoral operations in the area.
INEC has reassured the public of its commitment to ensuring smooth electoral processes, despite the unfortunate incident. Further updates will be provided as investigations continue.
For more updates on this developing story, stay with Newspot Nigeria.
INDEPENDENT NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION
PRESS RELEASE
FIRE INCIDENT IN OUR GWADABAWA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OFFICE IN SOKOTO STATE
At its regular weekly meeting held on Thursday 13th February 2025, the Commission took note of a sad incident of fire outbreak in our Gwadabawa Local Government Area office in Sokoto State as reported by the Administrative Secretary in charge of the State office, Mrs. Hauwa Aliyu Kangiwa.
The fire started in the early hours of the morning on Tuesday 11th February 2025. The entire building was damaged. Items destroyed include furniture and fixtures as well as movable electoral facilities, among them 558 ballot boxes, 186 voting enclosures (cubicles), 186 election bags and various Registration Area Centre (RAC) materials such as 12 large water tanks (1,000 litres), 400 sleeping mats and 300 plastic buckets.
Preliminary report from our State office indicates that there was a sudden surge from public power supply before the incident. However, the actual cause of the fire outbreak is being investigated by the security and safety agencies which have deployed their personnel to the facility.
No injuries or fatalities were recorded.
The Commission is making an effort to find an alternative temporary facility in the Local Government Area so that our activities are not completely disrupted.
Sam Olumekun mni
National Commissioner & Chairman
Information and Voter Education Committee
Friday 14th February 2025
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