IPOB behind attack on Imo INEC office — Police

The police in Imo State have said gunmen suspected to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate, Eastern Security Network (ESN) carried out the attack on the Oru West office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Mike Abattam, the state police spokesperson, said in Owerri on Sunday that the operatives on duty, however, repelled the attack.

He said the gunmen threw Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) into the office from outside the fence.

“The police operatives who engaged the hoodlums professionally inflicted various degrees of injuries on them. Having suffered a huge defeat, the hoodlums retreated, escaping in their vehicle and were given a hot chase by the operatives.

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“In the course of their escape, the explosives fell on the Conference Room of the INEC office and caused minor damages to some of the furniture and windows. No life was lost,” he added.

He said that while the investigation was ongoing, efforts were in top gear to arrest the fleeing suspects.

Abattam appealed to all and sundry to assist the police with credible information and to report any person seen treating bullet wounds or hiding within their communities to the nearest police station or call the command’s control room emergency numbers: 08034773600 or 08098880197.

The INEC National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye said the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Imo State, Prof. Sylvia Uchenna Agu, reported that the commission’s office in Oru West Local Government Area was attacked around 4.00am on Sunday, 4th December 2022.

He also recalled that on Thursday, December 1, 2022, the INEC office in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State was also attacked.

Daily Trust reported how stakeholders had expressed concerns over recent attacks on INEC facilities in the South East region.

The Director of Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), Idayat Hassan, had told Daily Trust on Sunday in an interview that the attacks signified an ominous sign for the 2023 elections and national stability.