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Gunmen kill one policeman in an attack on the INEC office in Enugu

One police officer was killed in a gunman attack on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Enugu South Local Government Area.

“Our office in Enugu South Local Government Area was attacked by unidentified gunmen, according to the REC for Enugu State, Dr. Chukwuemeka J. Chukwu. In a statement released on Monday, INEC National Commissioner Festus Okoye claimed the incident happened about 9.12 p.m. on Sunday, January 15, 2023.

“The gatehouse for security was destroyed. Fortunately, thanks to the quick action of the Police and Army members from the 82 Division, the attackers were unable to enter the main building. As soon as they learned about the attack, the State Commissioner of Police and the REC personally arrived at the spot. One of the two police officers sent to guard the site died, and the other was injured and is undergoing medical attention.

He said the incident is under investigation by security agencies, adding that the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) in Enugu State co-chaired by the REC and the Commissioner of Police has been convened to discuss the latest incident and map out strategies to better protect INEC offices, personnel, and materials.

“Meanwhile, the destroyed gatehouse will be rebuilt, and the Commission is proceeding with its preparations for the 2023 General Election in Enugu State and the entire country as scheduled,” Okoye’s statement further noted.

The attack on INEC offices in the South-East is just the most recent in a string of assaults.

Several security personnel have died as a result of the attacks. Other regions of the nation have had comparable instances as well.

Mahmood Yakubu, the chairman of INEC, stated in late December that there had been 50 reported attacks on the Commission’s offices from 2019 to that point in 15 states.

The electoral umpire, however, is optimistic and insists that the scheduled elections for 2023 will take place.

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