The office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Enugu south LGA has been attacked by gunmen. INEC national commissioner and chairman, information and voter education committee, Festus Okoye, who disclosed this in a statement on Monday, said attackers who came around 9:12pm on Sunday could not gain access to the main building due to the “rapid response from the police and army personnel.” During the attack the security gatehouse of the office was razed down. One of two police officers deployed to protect the facility was killed while another sustained injuries and is currently receiving medical attention.
“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 82 Division. The State Commissioner of Police and the REC were personally at the scene immediately they received information about the attack,” the statement reads.
“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.
The commission assured that 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.
