By David Lawani, Abuja
Despite efforts to secure and protect the facilities of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, the Enugu South Local Government Area office has suffered another attack by unknown gunmen according to the Commission leading to the loss of a police officer station to guard the building.
Festus Okoye Esq. National Commissioner & Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee in a statement said the whole building was razed down noting that an investigation is ongoing to unravel the circumstances that led to it.
According to the statement: ” The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Enugu State, Dr Chukwuemeka J. Chukwu, has reported that our office in Enugu South Local Government Area was attacked by unknown gunmen. The incident occurred around 9.12 pm yesterday, Sunday 15th January 2023.
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” The security gatehouse was razed. Fortunately, the attackers could not gain access to the main building as a result of the rapid response from the Police and Army personnel from the 82 Division. The State Commissioner of Police and the REC were personally at the scene immediately after they received information about the attack. Of the two Policemen deployed to protect the facility, one of them lost his life while the other sustained injuries and is receiving treatment. The Commission prays for the repose of the soul of the deceased policeman and the speedy recovery of the injured.
” The attack is being investigated by the security agencies. Furthermore, a meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) in Enugu State co-chaired by the REC and the Commissioner of Police has been convened to discuss the latest incident and design additional strategies of fortifying the offices and protecting the personnel and materials.
” Meanwhile, the destroyed gatehouse will be rebuilt, and the Commission is proceeding with its preparations for the 2023 General Election in Enugu State and the entire country as scheduled”, Okoye said.
