Incident at Ika North East LGA Office
A fire destroyed crucial election materials at the INEC office in Ika North East LGA, Owa-Oyibu, Delta State. The blaze, caused by a power surge after public electricity was restored, occurred on 2nd December 2024. While no injuries or fatalities were reported, important election supplies were lost in the fire. INEC has confirmed the significant damage but no casualties from the incident.
Materials Destroyed in the Blaze
The fire destroyed the stores section of the INEC office, where critical election materials were stored. Items lost included 706 ballot boxes, 50 election bags, 322 apron vests, three generators, 140 stamps, and 50 ballot box seals. Various other supplies, such as envelopes, posters, forms, and booklets, were also consumed by the fire. The blaze significantly impacted essential election materials needed for future operations.
Security and Emergency Response
Following the fire, INEC confirmed that the security agencies and emergency services were promptly informed and are conducting a thorough investigation into the cause of the blaze. The Nigeria Police Force and the Delta State Fire Service responded swiftly to the emergency. INEC commended both agencies for their quick actions, which helped prevent further damage and ensured that no lives were lost.
Preliminary Report from INEC
A preliminary report from the state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner, Etekamba Umoren, revealed that the fire occurred in the afternoon, shortly after the public power supply had been restored. The report indicated that the stores section, which housed petrol generators and other election materials, was completely destroyed. Despite the extent of the damage, INEC expressed relief that there were no casualties.
Investigation Underway
INEC has assured the public that the cause of the fire will be thoroughly investigated. The commission has stated its commitment to ensuring that all necessary actions are taken to prevent such incidents from affecting future elections. While the loss of materials is unfortunate, INEC officials are focused on recovering from the incident and ensuring that the electoral process continues smoothly.
Impact on Ika North East LGA
Ika North East LGA, one of 25 INEC offices in Delta State, serves a large number of voters. The office manages 14 Registration Areas, 238 Polling Units, and 131,747 registered voters. INEC has reassured the public that despite this setback, they are working to replace the destroyed materials and maintain the integrity of the upcoming elections.
Follow us on Socials: