Fresh tension in Benue as angry youths attack, set INEC office on fire, details emerge

• Angry youths on Wednesday, July 3, in Benue state attacked the INEC office and set it on fire
• The youths who were protesting attacks by bandits set ablaze INEC’s LGA office in Sankara, headquarters of Ukum LGA of Benue state
• INEC commissioner, Sam Olumekun, confirmed the unfortunate development via a statement and shared what happened

Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements

On Wednesday, July 3, some aggrieved youths in Benue state burnt down the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Sankara, headquarters of Ukum local government area.

Benue protest: Youths set INEC office on fire

As reported by Daily Trust, Sam Olumekun, the national commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, confirmed this development in a statement.

Olumekun quoted Professor Sam Egwu, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), for Benue as saying the youths invaded the facility around 2pm.

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As reported by The Punch, the protest escalated to include the destruction of several government facilities, including the INEC office.

He noted that while no casualties have been reported, the damage to the building was said to be extensive.

“The Resident Electoral Commissioner for Benue State, Professor Sam Egwu has reported that our Local Government Area office in Sankara, headquarters of Ukum Local Government Area, has been attacked and burnt down.“The incident occurred at 2 p.m. today, Wednesday 3rd July 2024, when the youths in the area were said to be protesting against the activities of bandits who attacked facilities of government agencies, including INEC.“Although no casualties were reported, the building has been extensively damaged. Office furniture and other movable and immovable materials, including 10 electric generators, 300 ballot boxes, and 270 voting cubicles, were destroyed in the attack.”

Fire guts INEC office in Ibadan

In another similar report, the INEC office in Ibadan's southeast local government was gutted by fire.

The state's Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr Adeniran Tella, confirmed the fire outbreak.

It was gathered that the tragic incident occurred at about 10:30 am on Friday, January 26, as it adds to the list of tragedies in the state in less than two weeks.

Source: Legit.ng