The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) put on hold the voter registration exercise in Igbeze, North Local Council in Enugu due to a violent attack on their officials by the popular unidentified gunmen.
The attack is believed to have occurred at Umopu Parish Primary School in Umozzi, Ward 19 Council. This was revealed in a statement by Festus Okoye, the INEC Commissioner and Chairman in Abuja.
The incident happened shortly after the offices of the commission in the same council was set on fire by some ruffians, 784 ballot boxes, 240 voting booths, office furniture, and equipment were destroyed, but fortunately, no life was lost.
The statement said: “Despite the attack, the commission was able to continue registration at the community level with the support of community vigilante groups. It is one of the centers that was attacked.
“The Administrative Secretary in Enugu, Mr. Jude Okwuonu, reported that on Wednesday, July 13, 2023, at around 2:30 p.m., our officers involved in the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise were attacked by unidentified gunmen in the community elementary school Umuopu were attacked in Umuozzi Ward 19 of the Igboeze North Local Council.”
In the most recent encounter, the gunmen fired shots in the air to deter registrants and registration officials, one of the officials is said to have been injured and taken to hospital. Two voter-registration machines and officers’ gadgets were stolen.
The incident was reported to the police for investigation,” he added.
