The office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Enugu South Local Government Area has been attacked by gunmen.
A police officer was killed in the attack, while a section of the property was set on fire.
According to the National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee of the commission, Festus Okoye, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Enugu State, Dr Chukwuemeka J. Chukwu, reported the incident to the headquarters of the commission.
“The incident occurred around 9.12pm yesterday, Sunday, 15th January 2023. The security gatehouse was razed. Of the two policemen deployed to protect the facility, one lost his life while the other sustained injuries and is receiving treatment.
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“The commission prays for the repose of the soul of the deceased policeman and the speedy recovery of the injured.
“The attack is being investigated by the security agencies,” Okoye said.
He added that, fortunately, the attackers could not gain access to the main building as a result of the rapid response from the police and army from 82 Division.
He also said the Commissioner of Police and the REC visited the scene immediately after they received information about the attack.
Okoye said the destroyed gatehouse will be rebuilt, and that the commission is proceeding with its preparations for the 2023 general elections in Enugu State and the entire country as scheduled.
INEC has faced multiple attacks in the build-up to the 2023 elections.
The outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) orchestrating violence in the South East has been blamed for the attacks in the region, but the group has denied this.
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