By Godfrey AKON
The residence of Kogi State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr
Hale Gabriel Longpet, in Lokoja, came under attack by gunmen in the early hours of Friday.
A statement by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, confirming the incident, said the attack took place around 3.30am local time.
It noted that the armed men engaged the security personnel in a gun battle for over 30 minutes until reinforcement arrived.
The commission however said no lives were lost, but property was destroyed in the ensuing gun battle.
“A team of combined security personnel have been deployed to protect the residence.This incident occurred a day after a mob besieged our state office.
“We call for a thorough investigation and enhanced security protection for our personnel and assets in Kogi State,” the statement said.
Recall that on Wednesday Longpet raised an karm that an angry mob besieged the Kogi State headquarters of INEC office in Lokoja.
The mob had barricaded all entrances to the office and prevented access to staff to carry out routine duties.
“The siege also prevented attorneys representing political parties involved in the recent off-cycle governorship election from inspecting documents/materials used in the election.
“It took the intervention of the Nigerian Army to calm the situation down at the State Headquarters. The security agencies have assured us that they will maintain normalcy on our premises.
“We assure all parties and litigants that the Kogi State office is committed to granting unimpeded access to all materials needed to prosecute their petitions,” the REC had said.
