Suspected ESN/IPOB gunmen attack INEC office, kill police officer
A police officer has been killed and another injured after some suspected gunmen of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), a militia arm of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) attacked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Enugu South Local Government Area (LGA) of the state on Sunday night.
The incident was reported to have happened around 9.12 pm.
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According to a statement Monday by INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, the assailants were repelled by Police and Army personnel from the 82 Division.
“The security gatehouse was razed. Fortunately, the attackers could not gain access to the main building as a result of the rapid response from the Police and Army personnel from 82 Division.
“The State Commissioner of Police and the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Enugu State, Dr Chukwuemeka J. Chukwu, were personally at the scene immediately they received information about the attack.
“Of the two policemen deployed to protect the facility, one of them lost his life while the other sustained injuries and is receiving treatment.
“The Commission prays for the repose of the soul of the deceased policeman and the speedy recovery of the injured,” INEC said.
Okoye 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,” he further noted.
