A section of the Independence National Electoral Commission (INEC) complex in Abuja has been gutted by fire. The inferno affected the office of INEC's Directors of Voters Registry, the Office of the Director, Elections and Party Monitoring Department (EPM); Apart from the office equipment and the personal effects of the Voters Registry Director which were lost to the fire incident, the operational capacity has not in any way been affected.
The fire outbreak which started at about 10:30 am was curtailed by the combined team of firefighters from the Federal Fire Service and the FCT Fire Service, assisted by officials of the National Emergency Management Agency.
In the words of INEC director of publicity and voter education, Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, the fire only affected the office of the director of ”election and party monitoring” in the building. ”Yes, there was a fire incident. Fortunately, we have a fire unit in the office. It was put out, Some equipment and correspondence were affected. But no sensitive material was affected.”- Oluwole.