The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Enugu State, Dr. Chukwuemeka J. Chukwu, has confirmed that the INEC office in Enugu South Local Government Area was attacked by unknown gunmen. The incident occurred around 9.12 pm yesterday, Sunday 15th January 2023.
Festus Okoye, National Commissioner & Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee said one Police Officer deployed to protect the facility lost his life in the unfortunate incident while another officer sustained injuries and is presently receiving treatment. “The Commission prays for the repose of the soul of the deceased policeman and the speedy recovery of the injured,” he said.
Okoye said “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 the 82 Division. The State Commissioner of Police and the REC were personally at the scene immediately after they received information about the attack.
“The attack is being investigated by 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 for fortifying the offices and protecting the personnel and materials.”
Meanwhile, Festus Okoye, while confirming the incident assured Nigerians that the destroyed gatehouse will be rebuilt and that the Commission is laser-focused and proceeding with its preparations for the 2023 General Election in Enugu State and the entire country as scheduled.
