Gunmen suspected to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate, Eastern Security Network (ESN) were responsible for the attack on the Orlu West office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in imo State.
The state police spokesperson, Mike Abattam, revealed in Owerri on Sunday that the operatives on duty, however, repelled the attack.
He used Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) to bomb the office from outside the fence.
“The police operatives who engaged the hoodlums professionally inflicted various degrees of injuries on them. Having suffered a huge defeat, the hoodlums retreated, escaping in their vehicle and were given a hot chase by the operatives.
The National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, who corroborated the state Police spokesperson revealed in a statement on Sunday, that the attack was carried out around 4am today, Sunday, December 4.
According to Okoye, the conference room, office furniture and fittings were destroyed, but that, other critical facilities were spared.
He said this would be seventh attack on INEC facilities in five states of the federation in the last four months.
“Once again, the commission expresses concern on the consequences of what appears to be a systematic attack on its facilities across the country on the conduct of elections in particular and electoral activities in general.
“The attention of security agencies has been drawn to this latest incident for investigation and prosecution.”
