NEC declared ‘National Emergency’ as their offices in Anambra, Enugu and Imo State was attacked.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has declared the continous attacks on its state offices as a national emergency after another attack on their Anambra, Imo and Enugu State offices Following the statement by the commission National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee Festus Okoye. INEC said that three of their offices came under an attack at various times on Sunday night, 23rd of May, 2021.
According to the report, the Anambra State INEC office Awka was set on fire by unidentified people and that was the worse of all the recent attack on their facilities as if the attackers has a target or something in mind. Alot of things were destroyed at the Anambra state office including a pavillion that serves as collation centre during major elections, two stores where electoral materials are stored and about 50% of non-sensitive materials that is needed for November 6, 2021 Governorship election in the state was among the items destroyed by the fire and alot of other things. INEC said that this is a major set back to preparations for the forthcoming Governorship election.
INEC also reported an attack on there office at Ahiazu Mbaise local government area in Imo State around 6:45pm, but the attackers only succeeded in damaging just a limited section of the building and no electoral materials or office equipments were destroyed. Meanwhile the attackers also targeted the INEC office at Igboeze South LGA around 1:00pm on Sunday also. The burned completely before the watch of the Neighbourhood and the Enugu State Fire Service responded to stop the spread of the fire. This attack is recorded as the third attack on INEC office in the state in less than two weeks after there office at Udenu LGA was attacked on 13th, May 2021 and the State Headquarters building in Enugu on the 16th of May, 2021.
The commission added that although nobody died in the incidents, it is obvious that the attacks were planned to target INEC and prevent them from conducting election, especially the Anambra Governorship election. “The attacks on the commission facilities has become a national emergency. Accordingly, the commission will brief the government and stakeholders on this incidents. Police has assured Anambra residents of their safety after gunmen attacked the INEC office in the state on Sunday.
Speaking at a press conference, the state police spokes man Ikenga Tochukwu said they’re working with the Military, and other para military agencies and the DSS for one joint operation to keep the state safe. The story on the local news ‘ Black Sunday in Awka’ was thoroughly debunked. Mr. Tochukwu said there was nothing like black Sunday in Awka, he said nothing happened to the police officers that was on patrol during the attack. He said they have no casualty in the attack that happened on Sunday night. “We recorded 95 percent success in that attack, we just lost some parts of our buildings and the jaguda people burned four vehicles in INEC office.” He asked people to go back to their normal duties as “God is with them”. “Joint patrols is now all over our city, we are back on the streets to maintain law and order.” He also added that they seized three vehicles and some guns from the jaguda people. He also added that investigation is still on to identify the people that is behind these attacks.
PRESS RELEASE
INEC Offices Attacked in Anambra, Enugu and Imo States (Contd).Photo Caption: Aftermath of the attack on Ahiazu Mbaise LGA Office in Imo State? pic.twitter.com/OXnjwYdUrl
— INEC Nigeria (@inecnigeria) May 24, 2021
