The Enugu State headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at Independence Layout, Enugu, was this night attacked by suspected hoodlums.
The incident occurred by 10.30 pm on Sunday, May 16, 2021, an eye witness informed The Easterner.
It was gathered that the attackers set ablaze a Toyota Hilux security van parked in front of the gate before scaling over the fence and burnt another six cars in the premises.
They were however repelled by law enforcement agents attached to the office before any further damage could be done. The buildings and facilities were reported to be intact.
The Enugu State Fire Service arrived at the scene shortly after and quenched the fire.
The area was cordoned off by the police.
Meanwhile, the state Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Aliyu, has ordered a manhunt of the perpetrators and emplacement of adequate security around the area.
The Commissioner, in a statement issued by the command’s spokesman, Daniel Ndukwe, said “yet to be identified armed miscreants, on Sunday, 16/05/2021 at about 2030hrs, attempted to set the Enugu Headquarters of the Independence National Electoral Commission (INEC) ablaze but were stiffly resisted by joint security operatives who swiftly mobilized to the scene.
“The State Fire Service personnel, who promptly responded to calls put across to them, helped in quenching the fire already set on four vehicles and two cushions within the office premises.
“Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Aliyu, who immediately raced to the scene alongside Heads of other Security Agencies in the State, has ordered the emplacement of adequate security within the precincts of the office and the launch of a full-scale investigation to unravel the mystery behind the act as well as fish out the assailants.”
