The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has suspended ward level registration exercise in Igboeze North Local Government Area of Enugu State following attack by gunmen on Wednesday.
During the attack one registration official sustained injury as is receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital, the Commission’s National Commissioner for Information and Voter Education Chief Festus Okoye has said.
Okoye in a statement issued on Thursday, said the Commission’s Enugu State Administrative Secretary Mr Joe Okwuonu had briefed it of the sad incident. He however said no lives were lost.
Okoye said the gunmen had stormed the Community Primary School. Umuopu, in Umuozzi Ward 19 of Igboeze North Local Government Area while the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise was ongoing.
“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, while two voter registration machines and personal items belonging to our staff, such as mobile phones were lost,” the statement read.
“It will be recalled that on 3rd July 2022, our office in Igboeze North Local Government Area was burnt down by unknown arsonists. In spite of the attack, the Commission was able to continue with Ward level registration with the assistance of vigilantes provided by the Local Government authority. It is one of the centres that was now been attacked.
The incident has been reported to the Police for investigation.