Gunmen Attack INEC Registration Center, Injured Official, Destroyed Electoral Machines In Enugu

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on Thursday, confirmed an attack on its officials by unknown gunmen in Igb- Eze North Local Government Area of Enugu State.

INEC spokesman, Festus Okoye, confirmed the incident, saying one of the commission’s staff was injured during the incident.

According to him, two voter registration machines and mobile phones belonging to the staff were lost.

Mr Okoye said the officials were attacked while carrying out the Continuous Voter Registration exercise at a Community Primary School Umuopu in Umuozzi Ward 19 of the area.

“The administrative secretary in Enugu state, Mr Jude Okwaomu, reported that at about 2:30 pm on Wednesday 13 July 2022, our officials involved in the continuous voter registration (CVR) exercise were attacked by unknown gunmen in community primary school in Umuopa in Umuozzi ward 19 of Igboeze North Local Government Area.

“The gunmen fired sporadically into the air to disperse registrants and registration officials. In the ensuing stampede, one of our staff sustained injuries and is receiving treatment in a hospital.

“However, two voter registration machines and personal items of the staff such as mobile phones were lost,” the statement reads.

Mr Okoye who recalled that the attack is the second on its facilities in the same local government said ward level registration exercise in the area has been suspended.

“It will be recalled that on 3rd July 2022, our officials in Igboeze North Local Government area were burnt down by unknown gunmen arsonists. In spite of the attack, the commission was able to continue with ward-level registration with the assistance of vigilantes provided by the local government authority. It is one of the centres that has been attacked.

“The incident has been reported to the police for investigation,” he said.