Soldiers, police repel an attack on Enugu INEC office

Soldiers, police repel an attack on Enugu INEC office

Men of the Nigerian Army and the Police on Sunday night repelled an attack by “unknown gunmen” on the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC in Enugu South Local Government Area of Enugu State.

The development however saw the killing of one of the policemen who fought back the attackers.

National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee of the commission, Barr. Festus Okoye disclosed this in a statement issued Monday in Abuja.

“The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Enugu State, Dr. Chukwuemeka J. Chukwu, has reported that our office in Enugu South Local Government Area was attacked by unknown gunmen. The incident occurred around 9.12pm yesterday, Sunday 15th January 2023.

“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 82 Division. The State Commissioner of Police and the REC were personally at the scene immediately after 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 stated.

According to him, the attack is being investigated by security agencies.

He added that 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.

“Meanwhile, 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”, he added.