Gunmen attack INEC headquarters in Owerri, three killed

Gunmen in the early hours of Monday attacked the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Owerri, and razed down the Attahiru Jega’s building where both educational and all official INEC documents are kept.

They also set ablaze two Hilux vans and destroyed the transport department while attempts were made to also burn other offices including the one housing the office of the Residents Electoral Commissioner in the state.

Tribune Online gathered that the hoodlums armed with sophisticated weapons numbering 20 had stormed the INEC headquarters and unleashed mayhem which lasted for hours without confrontation from any security agencies.

The attack is coming barely a few weeks after INEC had distributed the recently received materials to various Local Goverment Areas across the state.

Briefing journalists in Owerri Monday after the attack, the Imo State Police command police confirmed that three gunmen who attacked the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Imo State were killed during the attack.

The Command Spokesman CSP Michael Abattam said that gunmen also killed one policeman and injured one in the gun duel that lasted for an hour and kept the residents of Owerri, the state capital awake throughout the night.

Abattam, who spoke t at the command headquarters in Owerri, where the lifeless bodies of the hoodlums were paraded said five riffles, two vehicles, charms, locally made bombs, phones and money were recovered from the slain gunmen.

He also confirmed the death of a cop and injuring of another operative.

He said: ” they attacked the INEC headquarters in Owerri, around 3 am. They threw bombs at the roof of the INEC building but unfortunately for them, they were resisted by our men who were guarding the place. They came in four vehicles and fully armed.”

According to the PPRO, while they engaged their men on the ground, the Police reinforced and when noticing that the police were stronger they ran away, abandoning one of their vehicles.

He said that they were given a hot chase towards Onitsha road.

Abattam said that others escaped with bullet wound injuries.

He said: “Unfortunately one of our men paid the supreme price. Another one was injured. We recovered two vehicles. We also recovered five riffles, charms, locally made explosives, phones and money and other exhibits.”

“The Attahiru Jega building burnt down alongside two Hilux vans during the attack at Imo INEC headquarters, Owerri.”