File photo of gunmen
By EZEKIEL OBI, Abuja –
Gunmen have attacked officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Igboeze North LGA of Enugu State resulting in the suspension of Voter Registration in the affected areas.
INEC Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, confirmed the attack in a statement issued on Thursday.
Okoye said the attack has led to the lost of two voter registration machines and personal items of the staff such as mobile phones.
He said electoral officials were involved in the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise before gunmen stormed the Community Primary School Umuopu in Umuozzi Ward 19 in the South-Eastern state.
“After the Administrative Secretary in Enugu State, Mr. Jude Okwuonu reported the incident to INEC Headquarters, the commission decided to suspend the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise in the affected area”.
“The gunmen fired sporadically into the air to disperse registrants and registration officials. In the ensuing stampede, one of our staff sustained injuries and is receiving treatment in a hospital,” the statement read.
“Two voter registration machines and personal items of the staff such as mobile phones were lost. Consequently, Ward level registration of voters in Igboeze North is hereby suspended.”
He however said the commission has reported the incident to The Enugu State Police Command in order to commence an investigation.
