INEC Office in Enugu Set Ablaze

Arsonists set fire to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, building in Awgu Local Government Area in Enugu.

According to a source, the arsonists broke through the surrounding fence to get access to the structure.

The fire, which broke out in the early hours of Wednesday, caused significant damage to the INEC office. The quick arrival of the Fire Department helped to keep the destruction to a minimum.

See also Anambra poll: PDP warns INEC against Storing Materials in Imo

The Ozalla Fire Station was stated to have responded immediately.When contacted, Pius Eze, the Public Relations Officer for INEC in Enugu State, verified the occurrence, stating that the commission does not yet know the extent of the damage inflicted by the conflagration.

Okwudili Ohaa, Chief Fire Officer in Enugu State, who also confirmed the occurrence, said the Enugu State Fire Service received a distress call at about 1.30 a.m.

“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 fire fighters 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.

See also Unknown Gunmen Attack a Police Station in Imo.

Festus Okoye, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, confirmed the occurrence in a statement made in Abuja yesterday.

“Our Resident Electoral Commissioner for Enugu State, Mr. Emeka Ononamadu, reported an attack on the INEC office in Awgu Local Government Area of the State.

“The building was set ablaze this morning (yesterday), September 19, 2021, resulting in 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.”