Enugu: Gunmen Attack INEC Officials

By Adeleye Kunle

Gunmen have attacked officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Enugu State’s Igboeze North Local Government Area.

The attack resulted in the loss of two voter registration machines as well as personal items belonging to the staff, such as mobile phones.

Festus Okoye, Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, confirmed the attack in a statement issued on Thursday.

He claimed that before gunmen stormed the Community Primary School Umuopu in Umuozzi Ward 19 in the South-Eastern state, electoral officials were involved in the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise.

After the incident was reported to INEC Headquarters by the Administrative Secretary in Enugu State, Mr. Jude Okwuonu, the commission decided to suspend the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise in the affected area.

“The gunmen fired sporadically into the air in an attempt to disperse registrants and registration officials.” “One of our employees was injured in the ensuing stampede and is being treated in a hospital,” the statement said.

“Two voter registration machines, as well as personal items such as mobile phones, were stolen.” As a result, voter registration at the ward level in Igboeze North is hereby suspended.”

According to Okoye, the commission has reported the incident to Enugu State police authorities in order to begin an investigation.

As the country prepares for the general elections in seven months, attacks on INEC facilities have become common in the South-East.

On July 3, arsonists attacked and burned down the INEC office in Ogboeze North Local Government Area.