* We repelled invaders, Police claim
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has again suffered another attack on its facilities in Imo State.
According to a statement by its National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, the Commission’s office in Oru West Local Government Area was attacked at about 4.00am on Sunday.
It was the second time INEC facilities would be torched in the State, after its office in Orlu Local Government Area was also vandalized on December 1, 2022.
While no critical facilities were affected in Sunday’s attack, INEC expressed concern over what it described as a coordinated and “systematic attack on its facilities across the country on the conduct of elections in particular and electoral activities in general.”
The statement read in part: “The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Imo State, Professor Sylvia Uchenna Agu, has reported that our office in Oru West Local Government Area was attacked at about 4.00 am today, Sunday, 4th December 2022.
“The attack affected the Conference Room where office furniture and fittings were destroyed. However, other critical facilities were not affected.
“It would be recalled that on Thursday 1st December 2022, our office in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State was also attacked.
“Overall, this is the 7th attack on our facilities in five States of the Federation in the last four months.
“Once again, the Commission expresses its concern on the consequences of what appears to be a systematic attack on its facilities across the country on the conduct of elections in particular and electoral activities in general.
“The attention of the security agencies has been drawn to this latest incident for investigation and prosecution.”
The Police Public Relations Officer in Imo State, CSP Michael Abattam, said the tactical team of the Command foiled the attack.
He said the hoodlums attempted to unleash a heavy attack on the INEC building but were repelled.
He said: “it was a similar case with that of Orlu a few days ago where the hoodlums were given a hit chase.”