The Independent National Electoral Commission on Monday expressed concerns over various attacks on its offices, with Enugu State being the latest, adding that the commission will not be deterred in its preparation towards the 2023 general election.
The Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi, who spoke on the commission’s office in Igboeze North Local Government Area of Enugu State which was set ablaze by suspected arsonists said, it was in the collective interest of Nigerians to protect the commission’s assets as much as they can.
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, in a statement on Monday, said the arsonists on Sunday night overpowered the security guards, forced their way into the premises and set the building and stores section where election materials were kept, ablaze.
Okoye said, although no casualties were reported, 748 ballot boxes, 240 voting cubicles, office furniture and equipment were destroyed in the fire.
Also confirming the incident in a statement on Monday, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Daniel Ndukwe, said the state Commissioner of Police, Abubakar Lawal, had ordered the State Criminal Investigation Department to investigate the cause.
