Starrys Obazei/December 12, 2022.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has lamented over the attack on its state headquarters’ office in Owerri, Imo State.
The attack was carried out on Monday by unknown gunmen attack.
Part of the INEC building caught fire and was damaged after it was pelted with a firebomb.
The Owerri attack was, however, repelled as three of the perpetrators, including their commander, were gunned down.
In a statement signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman of, the Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, on Monday, he described the attack as yet another systematic attack targeted at the Commission’s assets
Okoye also noted that the incident happened on the day of the Permanent Voters Cards collection by registered voters ahead of the 2023 general elections.
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, Professor Sylvia Agu, has reported that our State Headquarters office in Owerri was attacked by unknown gunmen. The incident occurred at about 3.00 a.m. today, 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 was also no casualty involving the 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 center 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.”