Some suspected hoodlums, numbering about eight, were said to have scaled the perimeter fence, jumped into the premises and set the INEC building on fire from the rear side.
The office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at Iyana, Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital has been set on fire.
Some suspected hoodlums, numbering about eight, were said to have scaled the perimeter fence, jumped into the premises and set the INEC building on fire from the rear side.
According to Daily Post, the hoodlums dipped loaves of bread in petrol and threw them into the building to light it up. It was learnt that the security guard at the facility called the police around 1 am, saying the building was on fire.
Subsequently, police officers from Ibara division were said to have mobilised detectives to the scene, and contacted firefighters, who went there to put out the fire.
It was gathered that the store, the Registration Area Officer’s office and the conference room were affected by the inferno. Some non-sensitive materials were also reportedly affected by the fire.
“No life was lost and no injury was sustained in the fire,” a source told the newspaper.
The state INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Niyi Ijalaye, confirmed the incident. He, however, described it as shocking.
“It is correct that our office was set on fire. The police are investigating. I do not know what to say. I’m in shock myself. We called the police and other security agencies at night. The fire brigade put the situation under control. The level of damage is still being assessed.
“It is very shocking and untoward. The security agencies are doing their very best. We are meeting again later today to come up with other strategies (toward securing our facilities),” Ijalaye said.
Credit: SAHARA REPORTERS.
