The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, office in Enugu South Local Government Area, LGA, Enugu State, has been destroyed by thugs.

According to information obtained by Vanguard, the incident happened on Sunday night when arsonists attacked the INEC headquarters in Amechi Awkunanaw in Enugu South LGA.

Along with destroying the majority of the structure, the gunmen also shot and killed one of the security guards who was on duty at the commission’s offices.

However, a source from the village told our correspondent that they quickly called the men of Fire Service, who arrived quite on time but could not go near the premises to extinguish the fire as a result of the dead body they sited around.

“The building would not have been razed totally because we called the fire service men. But they were afraid of going inside because of the person that was shot dead.

“Everybody was really afraid. They felt the guys were still around. But we knew that the gunmen had left”, a villager said.

Confirming the incident, the Public Relations Officer of INEC, Mr. Victor Okafor said the hoodlums only succeeded in burning the security house of the building, stressing that the commission’s materials were not affected by the fire.

He noted that despite the commission’s efforts to ensure that voters’ votes are counted in the upcoming elections, some continue to enjoy setting INEC premises on fire.

In the meantime, the attack was reportedly thwarted by members of the Nigerian Army and Police.