Hoodlums Set INEC Office Ablaze In Osun

Dolapo Bamisedun

The office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) located at Oke-Iresi, Ede, State of Osun, was yesterday attacked by suspected hoodlums.

OSUN DEFENDER gathered the arsonists stormed the INEC office in the early hours of Thursday with petrol to carry out the act.

It was learnt that the hoodlums targeted the main offices of the commission and the documents therein.

A resident of town who gave his name as Taiwo said: “The prompt intervention of men of fire service stopped the fire from spreading to the hall and other sections of the office.

“Firefighters recovered bread, petrol kegs, fix-cap and knives used by the hoodlums. They really tried by extinguishing the fire. I hope that vital documents of INEC is still safe because the fire gut some offices.”

Confirming the incident, INEC, in a press release by it Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, said damaged done to the office was limited to a section of the building with some furniture items destroyed.

Okoye described the attack as worrisome, particularly with the next general election just 106 days away.

He further disclosed that the attention of the Nigeria Police Force and other security and safety agencies has been drawn to the incident.

He said: “The Resident Electoral Commissioner for Osun State, Dr. Mutiu Agboke, reported that our office in Ede South Local Government Area was attacked and set ablaze.

“The incident occurred in the early hours of this morning when some unidentified persons attacked the building and set a portion of it ablaze.

“Fortunately, the damage to our Ede South Local Government was limited to a section of the building and only some furniture items were destroyed.

“The attention of the Nigeria Police Force and other security and safety agencies has been drawn to the incidents and they have commenced investigation.

“With just 106 days to the 2023 General Election when the commission has commenced the movement of materials to our offices nationwide, these simultaneous attacks are very worrisome indeed”.