Protesting Youths Burn Down INEC Office In Benue

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says its office in the Sankara area of Ukum LGA in Benue State has been burnt down.
In a statement on Wednesday, Sam Olumekun, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, said the incident was reported by Sam Egwu, the state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC).
He said the youths in the area, who were protesting against the activities of bandits in the communities, attacked the INEC office and other government facilities around 2pm.
“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 been drawn to the incident, and they have already deployed their personnel to the area”, the statement said.
The statement read in part: “The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) 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 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 causalities 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 been drawn to the incident and they have already deployed their personnel to the area.”