Unknown gunmen attack INEC workers, voters, journalists; burn voting materials, vehicles
Unknown gunmen have disrupted ongoing council elections at Enugu South council area Ward 3, in Obeagu community near Enugu, burning electoral materials and three vehicles.
About 10 of them, the gunmen stormed the polling units of the ward at about 1:00 p.m. in a Sienna and Toyota Highlander, shooting sporadically, forcing voters, INEC workers, election observers and journalists to flee.
Many people were injured in the attack. A bullet hit an unidentified politician in the head.
The gunmen also attacked the Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS). A journalist and the ESBS bus driver were held hostage in the vehicle and dealt machete blows.
They are now receiving treatment in an undisclosed Enugu hospital.
Confirming the incident, the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) chairman Mike Ajogwu said the commission learnt of the attack.
“I have sent some top commissioners and staff of the commission to go and find out what really happened and get back to me,” he stated.
On whether the elections in that ward will be declared inconclusive, Mr Ajogwu added, “It will largely depend on the feedback from those I have mandated to visit the ward already.”
Efforts to contact police spokesman Daniel Ndukwe for comments on the attack were unsuccessful.
(NAN)
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