Hoodlums Set INEC Office On Fire In Ogun [Photos]

Some suspected hoodlums have burnt an office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abeokuta South local government area of Ogun State.

Ogun INEC Office On Fire

It was gathered that the facility was allegedly set on fire by suspected hoodlums who scaled the perimeter fencing into the commission’s premises in the early hours of Thursday.

The arsonists, numbering about eight, were said to have soaked loaves of bread with petrol and thrown same into the building from different points to light up the facility.

A source, who pleaded anonymity, said the security guard on duty, Azeez Hamzat, made a distress call to the police around 1:00 a.m., that the facility was on fire.

It was learnt that the police from the Ibara division mobilized detectives to the scene while contacting firefighters, who raced to the scene to put out the fire.

It was further gathered that the store, the Registration Area Officer’s office and the conference room were affected by the inferno.

A source said that non-sensitive materials were also affected by the fire, adding that “No life was lost and no injury was sustained in the fire.”

Ogun State INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr Niyi Ijalaye, who confirmed the development on Thursday, described the incident as shocking.

Ijalaye said, “It is correct that our office may have been deliberately torched. The police are investigating the matter. I do not know what to say. I’m in shock myself.

” We called the police and other security agencies at night. The fire brigade put the situation under control. The level of damage is still being assessed.

“It is very shocking and untoward. Security agencies are doing their very best. We are meeting again later today to come up with other strategies for securing our facilities.”

When contacted, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi said he would find out about the incident before making any statement.

Oyeyemi said that he just learnt of the occurrence and would find out from the Divisional Police Officer of the division.

KanyiDaily had also reported how hoodlums burnt down the INEC office in Igboeze North Local Government Area of Enugu State and destroyed 748 ballot boxes, 240 voting cubicles, and other equipment.