The Independent National Election Commission (INEC) confirmed the attack on its state headquarters office in Owerri, Imo state, though it says no critical election material was destroyed and no casualties were reported.
This revelation is contained in a statement signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the INEC Voter Information and Education Committee, Festus Okoye, on Monday, where he regretted that the attack occurred on the day the Card collection began. of Permanent Elector (PVC) at the national level.
Okoye stated that the attack, which is the third on the commission’s premises in Imo state in less than 2 weeks, is a continuation of violence targeting INEC assets across the country.
Details of the attack
The INEC National Commissioner pointed out that the prompt response of security and emergency service providers prevented further damage to the building and other assets of the commission.
- The INEC statement says: “Imo State Resident Election Commissioner Professor Sylvia Agu reported that our state headquarters in Owerri was attacked by unknown armed men. The event occurred around 03:00 p.m. today, Monday, December 12, 2022.
- “The attack affected part of the building occupied by the Electoral and Party Monitoring Department and an official utility vehicle (a Toyota Hilux van) was burned.
- “The response of the security and emergency services provider (the Fire Service) reduced further damage to the building and other property of the Commission. No critical election material was destroyed. There was also no accident involving Commission staff.
- “This is the third attack on the Commission’s premises in Imo state in less than two weeks.
- “Our Imo state headquarters is located in the center of Owerri, the state capital, between a courthouse and the secretary of state.
- “Therefore, this is yet another systematic attack targeting Commission assets across the country, furthermore, the day the collection of Permanent Voter Credentials began across the country ahead of the 2023 general election.”
for the records
Some INEC offices across the country have become the target of violent attacks by unidentified gunmen as the 2023 general elections approach.
Earlier, reports surfaced that 4 people, including a policeman, had been killed in a police-repelled attack on the INEC headquarters along Port Harcourt Road in Owerri, the capital of Imo state.
According to Imo State Police Command spokesman Mike Abattam, the armed men, more than 10, arrived around 3:00 am with Molotov cocktails and dynamite.
However, he said the thugs were confronted by security agents who repelled the attack, killing three of the attackers.
Recall that just a week ago, armed individuals attacked the INEC office in the Oru West Local Government Area of Imo State, making it the seventh attack on the commission’s premises in the last 4 months.
The attack in Oru West occurred 3 days after another INEC office was attacked in the Orlu local government area of the same Imo state.