Police Foil Hoodlums’ Attempt To Destroy INEC Office In Delta

Operatives of the Delta State Police Command successfully thwarted an attempt by unidentified individuals to destroy the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in the Warri area.

According to reports from Daily Post, a group of young men armed with weapons and containers filled with a substance believed to be fuel gathered at the INEC premises.

They chanted war songs and attempted to force their way inside while INEC officials were out conducting the delineation of electoral units and wards, as mandated by a Supreme Court judgment.

A concerned passer-by alerted the police, who quickly responded and managed to chase the hoodlums away, preventing any damage to the INEC office.

When contacted, the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, confirmed the incident.

The conflict appears to stem from opposition by the Itsekiri group to the Supreme Court’s ruling on the delineation of electoral units and wards in the Warri federal constituency. In contrast, the Warri indigenous Urhobo and their Ijaw counterparts support the exercise.

Meanwhile, the Delta State Police Command has warned residents to desist from meting out jungle justice to suspected criminals.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Edafe Bright, disclosed this via his X account.

Edafe warned that the police will not accept brutalised suspects, and those responsible for such acts will face murder charges if the victim dies.

He wrote, “So I was at Trend FM today to discuss a different type of jungle justice. Many callers who called refused to yield to my advice and insisted that they will beat up a suspected thief black and blue before taking him to the police station.

“Let me make it clear, we won’t accept a wounded suspect who suffered from jungle justice in your compound from you.”

He further said that anyone who inflicts injuries on a suspect will be required to treat them him in the hospital before they can be taken into custody.

He added, “We will accompany you to the hospital where you will have to treat the suspect before we admit the suspect.

“And if the suspects dies due to the beating, you and your other accomplices will be charged to court for murder. No sentiment in law, know this, and know peace.”