Aggrieved youths in Benue State set fire to the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Sankara, the headquarters of Ukum Local Government Area, on Wednesday.
This incident was confirmed by Sam Olumekun, the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, in a statement.
Olumekun quoted Prof. Sam Egwu, Resident Electoral Commissioner for Benue as saying the youths invaded the facility around 2pm.
“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.”
Governor Hyacinth Alia had declared an indefinite curfew on Ukum Local Government Area as a result of violent protest.
The governor who imposed the curfew through his deputy, Barr. Sam Ode, cited the grave security situation in the region which has led to the wanton destruction of property leading to instability of the area as reason for his action.
“Beginning today, 3rd July 2024, a curfew be imposed on Ukum Local Government and environs beginning from 3pm to 3pm of tomorrow 4th July 2024.
“The curfew shall be observed from 6pm to 6am beginning from tomorrow 4th of July 2024 untill further notice.”
It was gathered that heavy protests broke out in Sankera in the early hours of Wednesday following the fresh killings of 11 people by armed outlaws who have severally gone on rampage in the area and meted cruelty to the inhabitants.
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