Fire fighters to the rescue as INEC office in Awgu burn
Police begin investigations into INEC Enugu office’s fire incident
Police Command in Enugu State has commenced investigation into the fire that gutted the National Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) council office in one of the local government areas in the state.
INEC’s office complex, located in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State, was set ablaze by unknown arsonists on Sunday morning.
Enugu Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Daniel Ndukwe, said this in a statement made available to NAN in Enugu on Sunday, September 19.
Ndukwe said: “The state’s Criminal and Investigation Department (CID) has commenced investigation into the fire incident.
“The state CID will unravel the mystery behind the fire incident that occurred at INEC Office in Awgu council area in the early hours of Sunday, September 19.
“Further development will be communicated, please,’’ he said.
The commission disclosed this in a statement issued by its National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye on Sunday, in Abuja.
Okoye said the attack on the facility was reported by INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner for Enugu State, Emeka Ononamadu.
Okoye said the office was set ablaze; resulting in extensive damage to mainly the stores’ section where election materials were kept.
“Fortunately, all movable election materials had been evacuated; following recent attacks on our offices in the State. There were no casualties during the incident.”
Okoye said the identity or motives of attackers were unknown; while the incident had been reported to the Nigeria Police Force for investigation.
He said the commission appreciated the prompt response of the security agencies; comprising the Nigeria Police Force; the Nigerian Army; the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC); as well as the Enugu State Fire Service and the Awgu local government neighbourhood watch.
He also noted that the unfortunate incident was the first; since the last attack on INEC facilities four months ago in May 2021.
