JUST IN: Unclaimed PVCs, voter register allegedly destroyed in Abia INEC office fire

Some unclaimed permanent voters cards were reportedly burnt at the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission at Umu-Ikaa in Isiala Ngwa South Local government Area of Abia State.

It was learnt that INEC staff in the Local Government relocated to the office on Tuesday last week after their former office was also burnt down four years ago.

It was gathered that the fire started around 2 am in the early hours of Sunday, February 3, 2019.

A source from the community said the inferno woke the youths of the area from their sleep, and they quickly mobilised and also alerted the Police who assisted them in putting out the fire

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mr. Geoffrey Ogbonna, who confirmed the incident to our Correspondent, said suspected hoodlums had poured fuel through the window of the office where the PVCs were kept and sent it ablaze.

Ogbonna, who spoke to our Correspondent on the telephone, said the inferno did not consume the either office complex.

He said, “We are already investigating what happened. Right now, I’m at the scene of the inferno and we have found out that it was only the voters register and PVCs that were affected by the fire.”

It may be recalled that on Sunday, August 2, 2015, unknown persons reportedly burned down the offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State.