GUNMEN ATTACK THE INEC OFFICE IN ENUGU ONCE MORE.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that its Enugu South Local Government Area office was attacked by gunmen just weeks before the general election.

National Commissioner and Chairman of INEC,

Festus Okoye, Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, stated this in a statement on Monday.

One police officer was killed in the incident, which occurred around 9.12pm on Sunday, January 15, 2023, and another was injured and is currently receiving treatment.

The security gatehouse was destroyed, but the attackers were unable to gain access to the main building due to the quick response of police and military personnel from 82 Division.

Okoye went on to say that security agencies have begun an investigation into the attack, and that a meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) in Enugu State, co-chaired by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) and the Commissioner of Police, has been called to discuss the latest incident and devise additional strategies for fortifying the offices and protecting personnel and materials.

“The REC for Enugu State, Dr. Chukwuemeka J. Chukwu, has reported that our office in Enugu South Local Government Area was attacked by unknown gunmen,” he said. The incident occurred at 9:12 p.m. on Sunday, January 15, 2023.

“The state Commissioner of Police and the REC were personally at the scene immediately they received information about the attack.

“One of the two police officers assigned to protect the facility was killed, while the other was injured and is being treated. The commission prays for the repose of the deceased officer’s soul and the quick recovery of the injured.”

The commission stated that the destroyed gatehouse would be rebuilt, and that it would continue to prepare for the 2023 general election in Enugu State and throughout the country as planned.