By Cajetan Mmuta and Jacob Ogodo
Yesterday’s attack in Owerri signified another round of the systematic destruction of INEC offices nationwide, following similar ones in November in Ogun, Osun states.

Stakeholders are worried that 75 days before the general elections and sustained attacks have prevailed on INEC facilities in most parts of the country.

This has prompted the egg heads to be taking emergency measures, including security meetings to get to the roots of the attacks, but to no avail.

Yesterday’s was the third attack on the commission’s facilities in Imo State in less than two weeks, following the earlier attacks on its facilities in Orlu Local Government Area on Thursday, December 1, 2022, and Oru West LGA office on Sunday, December 4, 2022.

Earlier, in November, attacked the commission’s offices in the Abeokuta Local Government Area of Ogun State and Ede South Local Government in Osun State where critical election materials were destroyed.

This followed the attack on the commission’s building by gunmen who set the complex ablaze, destroying many things, including vehicles within the area.

Nigeria’s foremost journalist ‘CKN’ graduates with second class upper in Law

*As three gunmen killed after setting Imo INEC office on fire

Three gunmen were confirmed killed in the incident by the police during an exchange of battle. One of them was reportedly captured alive by policemen who rushed to the scene to repel the attack.

The attack was said to have happened at about 2am.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Chinenye Chijioke-Osuji, confirmed the incident.

She said only the office building of the Election and Political Party Monitoring Liaison was attacked and part of the main complex.

According to the PPRO, “It happened. You can come and see things for yourself. Not all the offices were attacked, but one side was completely down. The Election and Political Party Monitoring Liaison building was attacked, and part of the main building.”

Eyewitnesses said the gunmen, who were in a convoy of more than five vehicles, “moved from the Okigwe Road, shooting sporadically and scaring the residents. Vehicles and offices were set ablaze by the hoodlums.”

The timely intervention of policemen who stormed the area to repel the attackers, however, saved the day.

The bodies of the hoodlums were seen lying on the ground.

The police were said to have recovered some arms and ammunition from the hoodlums after they neutralised some of the gunmen.

Recall that parts of Imo State, including Orlu, Mbaitoli, and Owerri, have in the past three days come under see heavy attacks by gunmen suspected to be enforcing the five days sit-at-home directive by a faction of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPoB), led by one Simon Ekpa.

In reaction to the issue, the Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police, Aliyu Garba, who spoke to newsmen in Abakaliki, said there was no invasion of the state by unknown gunmen.

He, therefore, asked the citizens of the state to remain calm and go about their normal business.

Garba also noted that he had deployed hundreds of police officers to go on patrol, looking for the said unknown gunmen.

*Electoral body decries ‘systematic attacks’

Meanwhile, INEC has lamented over the attack on its state headquarters’ office in Owerri, Imo State.

The attack, which was carried out earlier yesterday by gunmen, affected part of the INEC building which caught fire and was damaged after it was pelted with a fire-bomb.

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

In its account in a statement, INEC described the incident as yet another systematic attack targeted at its assets.

INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, yesterday noted that the incident happened on the day of the Permanent Voters Cards (PVC) collection by registered voters ahead of the 2023 general election.

This is the third attack on the commission’s facilities in Imo State in less than two weeks, following the earlier attacks on its facilities in Orlu Local Government Area on Thursday, December 1, 2022, and Oru West LGA office on Sunday, December 4, 2022.

The statement read, “The Resident Electoral Commissioner for Imo State, Prof Sylvia Agu, has reported that our state headquarters office in Owerri was attacked by unknown gunmen. The incident occurred at about 3am 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 were also no casualties involving 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 elections.”

*Gov Umahi orders shoot on sight

Following the attack, Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, in line with the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari, ordered the security operatives in the state to shoot at sight any civilian seen holding guns.

The governor, in a special Announcement signed by the State Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Uchenna Orji, called on civil servants, traders, and residents of the state to go back to their businesses and normal activities.

He assured them that all security measures had been put in place to secure lives and properties.