INEC Laments Attack On Imo Office

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reacted to the latest attack on its state headquarters office in Owerri, Imo State.

INEC Reacts To Gunmen Attack On Its Office In Owerri

Kanyi Daily had reported that gunmen had in the early hours of Monday, attacked the INEC office with firebombs.

Part of the building caught fire and was damaged.

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

INEC, in a statement issued by the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, lamented the attack.

Okoye described the attack as yet another systematic attack targeted at the commission’s assets.

According to him, the incident happened on the day of the Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) collection by registered voters ahead of the 2023 general election.

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 3.00 am 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 was also no casualty involving the 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 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.”

Meanwhile, the Imo State Police Command has blamed suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as being behind the attack on the INEC office.

Spokesman of the command, Mike Abattam, in an interview with Channels Television, said an investigation is ongoing to ascertain the group behind the heinous act.