For the third time in less than three weeks, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) took another dastardly hit which further raises fears over the 2023 elections when hoodlums attacked and burnt down its offices in Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
The attack took place Sunday morning.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, on Sunday.
This is the third attack on Local Government INEC offices within the space of three weeks, following earlier attacks in Ogun and Osun States on November 10, 2022.
The incident which occured around 10am left the main building and all the movable and immovable items inside it burnt.
According to the statement, the resident INEC commissioner for Ebonyi State, Mrs Onyeka Pauline Ugochi, reported that the incident occurred around 10am when some unidentified hoodlums stormed facility and set it ablaze.
The report further confirmed that although there was no human casualty, the building and everything inside and around it was destroyed.
Some of the INEC properties lost in the inferno include 340 ballot boxes, 14 power generators, 130 voting cubicles, large water storage tanks, office furniture and a large number of voter cards which has not yet been ascertained.
The Commission, however, said the Nigerian Police Force have commenced full investigation into the incident.
The statement read, “The Resident Electoral Commissioner for Ebonyi State, Mrs Onyeka Ugochi, reported that our Izzi Local Government Area office located in Iboko, was set ablaze this morning.
“The incident occurred around 10.00am when some unidentified persons set the entire building ablaze.
“Although no casualties resulted from the attack, the main building and all the movable and immovable items inside it were destroyed. These include 340 ballot boxes, 130 voting cubicles, 14 electric power generators, large water storage tanks, assorted office furniture and fixtures and yet to be determined quantities of Permanent Voters’ Cards.
“The attention of the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies has been drawn to the incident and have commenced investigation.
“Sadly, this is the third attack on our Local Government office in less than three weeks following similar attacks on our offices in Ogun and Osun States on 10th November 2022.”
