A gang of gunmen attacked and detonated explosives in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters in Owerri the Imo state capital in the early hours of 12th December 2022. It was revealed by sources that the hoodlums who invaded the facility in large numbers threw grenades into the office premises from outside, which resulted in casualties of various degrees. Reports have it that three of the attackers were killed, while one of them was captured alive by officers of the Nigeria Police Force and other security operatives stationed in the vicinity. The incident has been confirmed to newsmen by INEC's relations officer, Dr. Chinenye Chijoke.
The Owerri attack, which was carried out around 3 am Monday morning (this morning), was, however, repelled as three of the assailants, including their commander, were gunned down by the police.
Abattam said, “We killed three of the attackers and recovered three AK-47 rifles and pump action guns. We also recovered two explosives and three of their vehicles.” The police have subsequently beefed up security in some parts of the state in response to the latest attack.
The recent attacks come barely three months before the conduct of the 2023 general elections. Sunday’s attack in Owerri is the eighth attack on INEC facilities in five states within the last four months. On Thursday, December 1, 2022, the INEC office in the Orlu Local Government Area of Imo was also attacked.
“Overall, this is the 7th attack on our facilities in five States of the Federation in the last four months,” INEC said after the attack on Sunday, December 4.
