*No critical election materials were destroyed- INEC
*What is happening in Imo state is politically inclined - Uzodimma
The Imo state Police Command has arrested two suspects in connection with the attack on the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC in the state on Monday.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Michael Abattam said officers are still searching the area to arrest other suspects.
"We have arrested two. More are still coming because operatives are still combing the area to arrest other fleeing suspects,” Abattam said.
Image:Premium Times
Four persons including a police officer were killed and one injured when gunmen attacked the headquarters of the
Independent National Electoral Commission in Imo state, in the early hours of Monday.
Confirming the development, the PPRO, Imo state Police Command, Michael Abattam said, “They attacked the INEC headquarters in Owerri around 3 am. They threw bombs on the roof of INEC building but unfortunately for them, they were resisted by our men who were guarding the place. They came in four vehicles and were fully armed.
“While they engaged our men on the ground, we reinforced. Noticing that we were stronger, they ran away, abandoning one of their vehicles. We gave them a hot chase towards Onitsha road. Fortunately, we neutralized three of them.
“Others escaped with bullet wound injuries. Unfortunately, one of our men paid the supreme price. Another one was injured. We recovered two vehicles. We also recovered five rifles, charms, locally made explosives, phones and money, and other exhibits.
Briefing reporters in Owerri later on the outcome of the attacks, the Police spokesman said, "See something and say something has been our slogan. They attacked the INEC office with petrol bombs. We have also recovered some of the petrol bombs they used in the attack.
“The rate of damage like I said is minimal. We are on the ground. We can tell you what happened. The damage has to do with the effect of the dynamite. Dynamite goes down and the effect will go around. We have always repelled them. We are working assiduously to make sure that the election in Imo state will hold.”
Image:Premium Times
“This is an eye-opener for whoever wants to come in and test our power. We are out for them and our intelligence is key,” Abattam said.
On 4th December 2022, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Imo State, Professor Sylvia Uchenna Agu reported that INEC office in Oru West Local Government Area was attacked at about 4.00 am.
Office furniture and fittings were destroyed in the attack which affected the Commission's Conference Room. Other critical facilities were not affected.
The INEC office in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State was also attacked on Thursday 1st December 2022.
Monday's attack brings to 8 the number of attacks on INEC facilities in five states of the Federation in the last four months.
INEC's response
INEC, headquarters Owerri, Image:Vanguard
The Commission has continued to express its concern about the consequences of what it sees as "a systematic attack on its facilities across the country on the conduct of elections in particular and electoral activities in general."
The National Commissioner of INEC and Chairman, of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye said,
“Our Imo State Headquarters is located in the center of Owerri, the State capital, between a Court and the State Secretariat.
“This is therefore yet another systematic attack targeted at the Commission’s assets across the country, more so on the day that the collection of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) commences nationwide ahead of the 2023 General Election."
According to him, the Resident Electoral Commissioner REC for Imo State, Professor Sylvia Uchenna Agu reported the attack by gunmen on the INEC State Headquarters office in Owerri which occurred at about 3 am on Monday.
Okoye noted that the part of the building occupied by the Election and Party Monitoring EPM Department was affected by the attack, while one official utility vehicle (a Toyota Hilux pickup van) was burnt.
“The response of the security and emergency services (the Fire Service) curtailed further damage to the building and other assets of the Commission. No critical election materials were destroyed. There were also no casualties involving staff of the Commission”, Okoye said.
The INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu earlier on November 29, said the attacks on the Commission's facilities will not stop the commission from conducting the general elections scheduled for 2023.
"There will be an election in Nigeria"- Uzodimma
Governor Hope Uzodimma, Image:Vanguard
Meanwhile, the Imo state Governor, Hope Uzodimma said the attacks on INEC facilities in the state are politically motivated to cause confusion and scuttle the conduct of the upcoming elections in the state.
He, however, urged the people to ensure they collect their voter's cards, assuring them of adequate security by security agents in the state.
Uzodimma said, “You can see why INEC, is the target if you collaborate it with the past where I have continuously said that what is happening in Imo state is politically inclined and that Imo state will be ungovernable and there will be no election in Imo state.
“However, Security agencies are prepared. INEC is prepared and there will be an election in Nigeria. I was told the majority of them who came on this journey are lying critically ill, some are neutralized and others fled with gunshot injuries. The police are ever committed. The other sister agencies are also committed to ensuring security in the state.”
“My assurance is that we will have a very beautiful environment for Christmas God willing. Because in everything we do on this earth the will of God must prevail. This is a holy week. The period our Lord Jesus Christ was born. The anointing and blessings bring peace in Imo.
“Also, we urge our people to come out and collect their PVC, there will be security agencies from the ward, local government areas to the state level. It will be a fruitful exercise. Let us remind our people that the collection of voters card is key and the government in collaboration with the security agencies will do our best, Uzodimma said.
Politics and Opinion
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