According to Imo State police, gunmen suspected to be members of the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), carried out the attack on the Independent National Electoral Commission’s Oru West office (INEC).
The state police spokesperson, Mike Abattam, said in Owerri on Sunday that the operatives on duty repelled the attack.
He noted that the gunmen threw Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) into the office from outside the perimeter fence.
“The police officers who professionally engaged the hoodlums inflicted various degrees of injury on them.” After suffering a crushing defeat, the hoodlums retreated, fleeing in their vehicle and being pursued by the operatives.
“During their escape, the explosives fell on the INEC office‘s Conference Room, causing minor damage to some of the furniture and windows.” “There was no loss of life,” he added.
He stated that while the investigation was ongoing, efforts were being made to apprehend the evading suspects.
Abattam urged everyone to help the police by providing credible information and reporting anyone seen treating bullet wounds or hiding in their communities to the nearest police station or calling the command’s control room emergency numbers: 08034773600 or 08098880197.
Festus Okoye, National Commissioner of INEC and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, stated that the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Imo State, Prof. Sylvia Uchenna Agu, reported that the commission’s office in Oru West Local Government Area was attacked around 4 a.m. on Sunday, December 4, 2022.
He also mentioned that the INEC office in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State was attacked on Thursday, December 1, 2022.
According to the Daily Trust, stakeholders have expressed concern about recent attacks on INEC facilities in the South East region.
Idayat Hassan, Director of the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), told Daily Trust on Sunday in an interview that the attacks were a warning sign for the 2023 elections and national stability.
