The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Enugu South local government area of Enugu State has been attacked by unknown gunmen.
The incident, which occurred around 9.12pm on Sunday night, led to the death of a Police officer while the other sustained injuries and was receiving treatment.
INEC in a statement made available to LEADERSHIP in Abuja on Monday signed by its national commissioner and chairman Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, said the security gatehouse of the facility was razed down
Fortunately, Okoye said 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, Enugu.
“The State Commissioner of Police and the REC were personally at the scene immediately 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,” he said.
He said the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Enugu State, Dr. Chukwuemeka Chukwu, reported the attack to the Commission headquarters.
He said, “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.”
He added 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.
