INEC office in Enugu burnt, third incident in 2 weeks

 • Fire guts the Enugu office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday, May 14

 • The Police Command in the state confirmed the incident but said the cause of the fire couldn't be ascertained at the time of filing the report

 • Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who visited the scene, said the fire may have been caused by a power surge

The Police Command in Enugu State announced Friday, May 14 that the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the Udenu Local Government Area of the state was gutted by fire at midnight.

This was confirmed by the state police public relations officer, Daniel Ndukwen who said the cause of the fire couldn't be ascertained.

He said, “Operatives attached to the police division in the area immediately raced to the scene, while contacting fire service office in the area to promptly put out the fire.

"The state Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Ndatsu Aliyu, has ordered the cordoning-off of the scene. He also said that thorough investigation has been launched by the police command to further ascertain the actual cause of the fire outbreak and damages incurred."

Some residents of the area suspected the fire was started by a spark from one of the poles supplying power to the premises but that has not been confirmed.

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who visited the scene, said the fire may have been caused by a power surge.

”Preliminary investigation suggests that the fire, which was eventually put out before it could spread to other offices around the building, through the combined efforts of the state fire service, the police and law-abiding citizens, may have been caused by power surge due to sudden power supply to the building,” he said.

However, at least 19 offices of INEC have been reportedly razed down by fire in the last 24 months. The states affected include Akwa Ibom, Abia, Anambra and Imo.