A policeman has been reportedly killed while another sustained injuries as unknown gunmen attacked the independent national electoral commission (INEC) office in Enugu State.
The incident according to a statement signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, occurred at Enugu South Local Government Area of the state.
He said the case was reported to the INEC National Headquarters by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Enugu State, Dr. Chukwuemeka J. Chukwu, stating that the incident occurred around 9.12pm yesterday, Sunday 15th January 2023.
He stated that “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 they received information about the attack”
He added that, of the two policemen deployed to protect the INEC facility, one lost his life while the other sustained injuries and is being treated
“The Commission prays for the repose of the soul of the deceased policeman and the speedy recovery of the injured”
Okoye said the attack is at the moment being investigated by the security agencies and 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.
He said 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.
