INEC laments attack on Imo offices

The Independent National Electoral Commission has lamented over the attack on its state headquarters’ office in Owerri, Imo State.  

The PUNCH had reported that the attack was carried out on Monday by unknown gunmen attack.

Part of the INEC building caught fire and was damaged after it was pelted with a fire-bomb.

The Owerri attack was however repelled as three of the perpetrators, including their commander, were gunned down.

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In a statement signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, on Monday, he described the attack as yet another systematic attack targeted at the Commission’s assets

Okoye also noted that the incident happened on the day of the Permanent Voters Cards collection by registered voters ahead of the 2023 general election.

This is third attack on the Commission’s facilities in Imo State in less than two weeks following the earlier attacks on its facilities in Orlu Local Government Area on Thursday December 1, 2022 and Oru West LGA office on Sunday, December 4, 2022.

The statement read, “The Resident Electoral Commissioner for Imo State, Professor Sylvia Agu, has reported that our State Headquarters office in Owerri was attacked by unknown gunmen. The incident occurred at about 3.00am today, Monday, December 12, 2022.

“The attack affected part of the building occupied by the Election and Party Monitoring Department and one official utility vehicle (a Toyota Hilux pickup van) was burnt.

“The response of the security and emergency service provider (the Fire Service) curtailed further damage to the building and other assets of the Commission. No critical election material was destroyed. There were also no casualty involving staff of the Commission. 

“This is the third attack on the Commission’s facilities in Imo State in less than two weeks.

“Our Imo State Headquarters is located in the centre of the Owerri, the state capital, between a court and the state secretariat.

“This is therefore yet another systematic attack targeted at the Commission’s assets across the country, more so, on the day that the collection of Permanent Voter Cards commenced nationwide ahead of the 2023 general election.”