Kogi REC denies attack on INEC office in Okehi LGA

By Thompson Yamput

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has denied reports that its office was affected in a bomb attack at the secretariat of Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi State on Monday evening.

INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner for Kogi Dr Hale Longpet, made the denial during a news conference on preparedness of INEC for the forthcoming general elections in Lokoja on Tuesday.

“It’s not true that our office in Okehi LGA was blasted in the evening of Monday. We understood there was a blast at council’s Secretariat where we also have our office but the office was not affected in anyway.

“We want the world to know that none of INEC facilities in Kogi is under any form of attack as we are very ready for the 2023 general elections starting on Saturday, ” he said.

The REC described as “mischievous” some reports insinuating that the commission’s facility had been bombed and advised such rumour mongers to stop such nefarious act.

SP Williams Ovye-Aya, Kogi Police Command Public Relations Officer, who confirmed the incident to NAN, said no life was lost or affected by the blast.

“We are on top of the situation as we have deployed our officers from the Anti- Bomb Squad to check on the level of damage by the blast.

“Already investigation into the incident is on going as fragments from the blast have been collected to ascertain its nature and take steps to forestall a reoccurrence, ” he said.

Ovye-Aya warned criminal elements, who are out to disrupt the forthcoming Saturday ‘s general elections to desist from such nefarious act or face the wrath of the law.

The Bursary Office of the local government was mostly affected by the blast as virtually all the records and furniture were destroyed by fire.

(NAN)