Unknown Gunmen Attack Anambra INEC Office, Raze 7 Vehicles, Collation Centre, Store

• Police repel attackers, recover 3 vehicle, 8 riffles, ammunition
• CP: We recorded 95% success

By David-Chyddy Eleke

A total of seven Toyota Hilux vans belonging to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were burnt in Sunday night attack on the headquarters of the commission in Awka, Anambra State.

The commission’s collation centre and store house containing over 50 generating sets and other equipment were also burnt down.

Meanwhile, three Hillux vans used by the attackers were recovered by the police, after the attackers abandoned them to police operatives superior fire power.

Three of the Hillux vans seen by THISDAY reporter at the INEC headquarters were unregistered. While one of the vans was shot at by the police, another ran into an electric pole while trying to escape and was demobilized, and the third was abandoned by the attackers.

Contrary to reports by various media organizations (not THISDAY), that the ‘B’ division police station was razed, THISDAY found that the station was not touched.

Anambra State police commissioner, CP Chris Owolabi who led journalists to inspect the affected facility said the police registered over 90 percent success in combating the attackers.

Owolabi addressing journalists said, “The hoodlums first went to “B” division police station and were repelled, then they came to INEC and our men repelled them too.

“I can tell you that we recorded about 95 percent success. There were no casualties on the part of the police. I want to appeal to journalists to report carefully because we read where people reported that scores of policemen were killed.

“Since last night, we have been moving from hospital to hospital, because we are sure some of the attackers escaped with serious wound. We are appealing to hospital management to help us track them.

“I want to plead with Anambra people to go about their legal activities.”

Eight riffles consisting of AK 47 and pump action were recovered from the attackers, including live ammunition and items of clothing and barets.

INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Anambra State, Dr Nkwachukwu Orji who addressed journalist expressed happiness about the success recorded in repelling the attackers.

“The damage is very minimal, we lost six operational vehicles, they also burnt our collation centre and a part of our store house. It would have been worse, but I thank the police for their efforts.”

THISDAY investigation showed that the attackers entered the INEC compound through the back fence, after successfully pulling down a part of the fence, while using improvised explosive to set ablaze the vehicles and others.

It was also gathered that the attack happened simultanously with that of ‘B’ division police station at around 8:30pm, in the hope of engaging the police in a battle while another gang invaded the INEC. The attackers were however unlucky as police operatives were also situated at the INEC headquarters.