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INEC Holds Emergency Meeting Today after Recording 47 Attacks In 33 Months

Published

3 years ago

November 11, 2022

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will hold an emergency security meeting in Abuja today over attacks on its facilities.

It convened the meeting following the latest attacks on its offices in Ogun and Osun states on Thursday.

With Thursday’s attacks, the INEC has suffered 47 attacks on its facilities and offices since February 2019. A source at the commission said that the attacks are deliberate attempts to stop them from carrying out their duties.

Another source not from INEC but works with knowledge of the commission’s works, said the Yoruba Nation agitators are being fingered.

“They recently attacked a military facility in Ogun State and carted away with some weapons.

“Security forces have not yet commented on this allegation but sources said they are not ruling out any possibilities,” the source said.

Hoodlums Thursday set an office of INEC at Iyana Mortuary, Abeokuta, Ogun State, on fire leaving a total of 65,699 Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) destroyed.

Sources said the hoodlums, numbering about eight, scaled the fence to gain entry into the premises of the electoral body.

A security guard at the facility, Azeez Hamzat, was said to have made a distress call to the police around 1 am on Thursday. Our correspondent gathered that the store, registration area and conference room were affected by the fire.

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In Osun, suspected hoodlums yesterday set on fire the INEC office in Ede South LGA of the state.

The hoodlums, it was gathered left immediately after setting the office located at Oke Iresi in Ede ablaze. It was gathered that residents trooped out and put the fire out after the arsonist left the premises.

Head of the Department of Public Education of the commission, Ayoola Balogun while confirming the incident told Daily Trust that the fire did not affect important documents.

The Police Public Relations Officer for Osun State Police Command, Yemisi Opalola also confirmed the incident and assured that it would be investigated.

Emergency security meeting

National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Festus Okoye, said the emergency meeting was triggered by the attacks on the commission’s local government offices in Ogun and Osun states on Thursday.

The meeting, which will be attended by heads of security agencies, who are members of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) including the National Security Adviser (NSA), will discuss the trend and fashion out ways of curbing the development ahead of the 2023 elections.

Okoye said in Ogun, “The main building and all the Commission’s movable assets in the office were destroyed. They include 904 ballot boxes, 29 voting cubicles, 30 megaphones, 57 election bags, 8 electric power generators and 65,699 uncollected Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs).

“Similarly, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Osun State, Dr. Mutiu Agboke, reported that our office in Ede South Local Government Area was attacked and set ablaze.”

He added that the attention of the Nigeria Police Force and other security and safety agencies has been drawn to the incidents. He said the security agencies have commenced investigations.

“With just 106 days to the 2023 General Election, when the commission has commenced the movement of materials to our offices nationwide, these simultaneous attacks are very worrisome indeed, “he said.

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He also said that the rising incidents of attacks on supporters of various political parties since the commencement of the campaign barely two months ago and the use of hate and incendiary language by some politicians are extremely disturbing.

IGP probes attack on Atiku’s convoy in Borno

Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, has disclosed the plan to constitute a team to thoroughly investigate the circumstances leading to the attacks on the convoy of the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, by suspected thugs in Maiduguri, Borno State on Wednesday.

He spoke on Thursday while featuring at the State House Media Briefing organised by the Presidential Communications Team at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Baba, who reacted to questions on the recent attacks on campaign rallies and political events in Rivers, Kaduna and Borno States, said the state police spokesperson in Borno might have reached a conclusion too quickly in his assessment.

He explained that assessment from the state PRO might have been too hasty and not conclusive, hence the need to establish a team to make a holistic assessment from the various narratives to ascertain the true picture and prevent a reoccurrence. The convoy of Atiku was reportedly attacked on Wednesday in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

The IGP urged politicians to play by the rules ahead of the elections and avoid violent clashes during electioneering.

“On how realistic it is in stopping the issue of violence in our political agenda, either in rallies or campaigns. Well, it takes two to tango. There are laid down means, ways procedures to do rallies and campaigns.

“On our part, we have gone out to appeal to politicians to play the game by the rules. And at the same time allow us to regulate political processions, campaigns and rallies, to avoid clashes and so forth.”

He said the force was fully prepared to ensure peaceful general elections and carry out its responsibilities in line with the provisions of the laws.

Related Topics:attacks Featured INEC Ogun Osun

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Anambra Govt Shuts NASPA Market Over Sit‑At‑Home Defiance

Published

18 minutes ago

February 23, 2026

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Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo

Anambra Govt Shuts NASPA Market Over Sit‑At‑Home Defiance

The Anambra State Government has closed the New Auto Spare Parts Association (NASPA) Market at Nkwo Nnewi after traders failed to comply with a directive by Chukwuma Soludo to end the Monday sit‑at‑home order that had disrupted business activities in the state.

The closure, which took effect from midnight Monday, will last until Monday, March 2, with a warning from authorities that further sanctions may follow if compliance remains low when the market reopens.

According to Dr. Law Mefor, the state Commissioner for Information, the shutdown followed low adherence to Gov. Soludo’s earlier directive requiring markets, schools, and businesses to operate normally on Mondays. The closure order was issued on behalf of the governor by the Special Adviser on Trade and Markets, Chief Evarist Uba.

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“Traders and customers are advised to avoid NASPA Market until next Monday to prevent any issues with law enforcement agents,” Mefor said, stressing the importance of restoring economic normalcy in Anambra.

While most markets in the state resumed regular operations on Monday following the governor’s late January order, some traders at NASPA Market opted to remain closed, citing pressure from groups supporting the sit‑at‑home practice.

Market leaders explained that many traders initially feared unrest and potential backlash, but state authorities have increased security presence and engaged with local stakeholders to ensure a safe environment for business.

Analysts note that the government’s action reflects its commitment to economic recovery, safeguarding livelihoods, and reinforcing compliance with state directives in key commercial hubs like Nnewi and Awka, known for their vibrant trading activities.

The state government reiterated that its firm stance is aimed at protecting jobs, boosting business confidence, and ensuring uninterrupted trade across Anambra State.

Anambra Govt Shuts NASPA Market Over Sit‑At‑Home Defiance

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EFCC Nabs 20, Seizes ₦17m Over Vote Buying in FCT Elections

Published

39 minutes ago

February 23, 2026

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EFCC Nabs 20, Seizes ₦17m Over Vote Buying in FCT Elections

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested 20 suspects over alleged vote buying and other electoral offences during Saturday’s Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

In a statement posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Sunday, the anti-graft agency disclosed that its operatives recovered more than ₦17 million in cash from some of the suspects during coordinated enforcement operations across the territory.

According to the EFCC, arrests were recorded in Kwali, Abaji, Gwagwalada and Kuje Area Councils, with offences ranging from vote buying and vote selling to the unlawful possession of large sums of cash near polling units.

The commission revealed that one suspect was intercepted with ₦13.5 million inside a vehicle parked close to a polling unit in Kwali Area Council, raising strong suspicion that the money was intended for voter inducement. Other suspects were arrested with varying amounts of cash allegedly meant to influence voters during the election.

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The EFCC said the operation was part of its pre-election and election-day deployment aimed at curbing the influence of money in the electoral process and strengthening electoral integrity in the nation’s capital.

“All suspects arrested will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations,” the commission stated, reiterating that vote buying and selling are criminal offences under Nigeria’s laws.

The FCT Area Council elections recorded low voter turnout, while allegations of electoral malpractice emerged from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), whose candidates lost in several councils.

Despite the controversy, the All Progressives Congress (APC) dominated the polls, winning five of the six chairmanship seats, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secured victory in Gwagwalada Area Council.

The EFCC reaffirmed its commitment to free, fair and credible elections, warning politicians, party agents and voters that the commission would continue to deploy operatives to monitor elections and prosecute offenders.

EFCC Nabs 20, Seizes ₦17m Over Vote Buying in FCT Elections

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El-Rufai Sues ICPC for ₦1bn Over Alleged Illegal Raid on Abuja Residence

Published

56 minutes ago

February 23, 2026

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Former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai

El-Rufai Sues ICPC for ₦1bn Over Alleged Illegal Raid on Abuja Residence

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has instituted a ₦1 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over the alleged unlawful invasion and search of his Abuja residence.

In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/345/2026, filed before the Federal High Court, Abuja, El-Rufai is asking the court to invalidate a search warrant issued on February 4 by a Chief Magistrate of the Magistrate’s Court of the FCT, describing it as defective, vague, and unconstitutional.

The former governor, through his legal team led by Oluwole Iyamu, argued that the warrant lacked specificity, contained material drafting and typographical errors, was overbroad, and was issued without probable cause, thereby violating his constitutional right to privacy under Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

El-Rufai named the ICPC, the Chief Magistrate of the FCT Magistrate’s Court, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Attorney-General of the Federation as respondents in the suit.

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According to court documents, operatives of the ICPC and Nigeria Police Force allegedly invaded El-Rufai’s residence at House 12, Mambilla Street, Aso Drive, Abuja, on February 19 at about 2:00 p.m., acting under the disputed warrant. He claimed the operation amounted to a gross violation of his fundamental rights, including the right to dignity of the human person, personal liberty, fair hearing, and privacy, as guaranteed under Sections 34, 35, 36, and 37 of the Constitution.

The former governor further urged the court to rule that any evidence obtained during the search is inadmissible, having been procured through an illegal and unconstitutional process. He also sought an injunction restraining the respondents from relying on, using, or tendering any items seized during the operation.

As part of his reliefs, El-Rufai demanded ₦1 billion in damages, broken down into ₦300 million as compensatory damages for psychological trauma and emotional distress, ₦400 million as exemplary damages to deter future misconduct by law enforcement agencies, and ₦300 million as aggravated damages for what he described as the malicious, high-handed, and oppressive conduct of the respondents. He also requested ₦100 million as cost of litigation, covering legal fees and associated expenses.

In his legal arguments, Iyamu maintained that the warrant violated provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, particularly Sections 143–148, as well as Section 36 of the ICPC Act, 2000. He argued that the warrant failed to clearly describe the items to be seized, was improperly addressed, and lacked the sworn information required to justify its issuance.

An affidavit in support of the application, deposed to by Mohammed Shaba, stated that officers involved in the raid did not submit themselves for search, seized personal documents and electronic devices, and have failed to return the items. He added that the incident caused humiliation, distress, and psychological trauma to the former governor.

The case is expected to test the limits of search-and-seizure powers of anti-graft and law enforcement agencies, as well as reinforce judicial scrutiny over the use of search warrants in high-profile investigations.