Angry youths burn INEC office in Benue

Angry youths protesting the increase in bandit attacks in Benue State have burned down the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Sankara, the headquarters of Ukum Local Government Area in Benue State.

Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, announced this in a statement yesterday.

According to the apology, “the incident occurred at 2pm today, Wednesday 3rd July 2024, when the youths in the area said to be protesting against the activities of bandits attacked facilities of government agencies, including INEC.”

Olumekun assuaged fears about casualties by revealing that no lives were lost.

He stated that security agencies were informed and that their personnel had been properly deployed.

Professor Sam Egwu, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Benue State, issued the following statement:

“our Local Government Area office in Sankara, headquarters of Ukum Local Government Area, has been attacked and burnt down”.

“The incident occurred at 2pm today, Wednesday 3rd July 2024, when the youths in the area said to be protesting against the activities of bandits 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.

“The attention of security agencies has drawn to the incident and they have already deployed their personnel to the area.”

The Frontier had earlier reported that some angry youths set out yesterday to protest the incessant attacks by gunmen on Benue communities.