Police: Unknown miscreants behind Abia INEC office fire

May 11

08:49 2021

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The Abia state police command says it has commenced full investigation into the fire at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Ohafia.

The INEC office had been set ablaze on Sunday, destroying all electoral materials and office equipment.

This came just a week after one of the commission’s offices in Akwa Ibom was razed.

According to NAN, Godfrey Ogbonna, the state police spokesman, said the attack was carried out by unknown miscreants.

He said they were repelled by the combined efforts of the police and army.

“The people in the neighbourhood said the attack was carried out by unknown miscreants,” he said.

“There was no casualty because security men guarding the office ran into the 14 Army Brigade barracks for safety, when the attackers arrived at the place.”

In a statement on Monday, Festus Okoye, INEC spokesman, had said the burnt facility was recently renovated.

He said the commission will convene an emergency meeting to discuss the attacks on its offices in parts of the country.

Five months ago, the INEC office in Aba south LGA of Abia was burnt down while that of Arochukwu LGA was vandalised in October 2020.