Again, unknown gunmen have set ablaze a newly built office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at Okwudor community in Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State.
The office, which was commissioned shortly before the 2019 General Elections, was set ablaze around 11:30am on Sunday.
Festus Okoye, INEC’s Commissioner for Information and Voter Education Committee, confirmed the recent attack in a statement titled, ‘INEC office in Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State set ablaze’.
He said the Sunday attack brings the total number of INEC offices attacked nationwide to 42.
Okoye noted that although no life was lost, the building was substantially burnt down, along with electoral materials, office equipment, and furniture.
He said; “Our resident electoral commissioner for Imo State Francis Ezeonu, has reported that our office in Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State was set ablaze today.
“Although no life was lost, the building was substantially burnt down, along with electoral materials, office equipment, and furniture.
“The latest incident has been reported to police for investigation,”
“This attack is coming exactly a week after our office in Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area of the state was vandalized on Sunday, May 23rd. It is also the eighth INEC office to be attacked in Imo State since the 2019 General election.
“INEC buildings, infrastructure, and equipment are critical national assets that guarantee the continuity of electoral activities throughout the federation.
“Attacking these offices is not in the national interest and has the capacity of compromising electoral activities and the credibility of the democratic process.”