2023 ELECTION: HOODLUMS INCINERATE INEC OFFICE IN ENUGU STATE

Some yet-to-be identified arsonists have incinerated an office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Enugu State.

This development was confirmed in a brief statement on Monday by INEC's National Commissioner, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye Esq.

Mr Okoye disclosed that the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Enugu State, Mr. Emeka Ononamadu, reported that INEC's Igboeze North Local Government Area office had been burnt.

According to the REC, the attack happened at about 11.48pm on Sunday the 3rd of July, 2022. The arsonists are said to have overpowered the security guards, forced their way into the premises and set the building ablaze.

Although no casualties were reported, 748 ballot boxes, 240 voting cubicles, office furniture and equipment were destroyed in spite of the best effort of the Enugu State Fire Service deployed from Nsukka.

Eyewitnesses spoke of panic among shoppers as gunfire rang out.

One of them, named Isabelle, told Danish media: "Suddenly we hear shots. I think hear ten shots and then we run through the mall and end up in a toilet, where we huddle together in this tiny toilet, where we are around 11 people.

"It's really hot and we wait and we are really scared. It's been a terrible experience."