Police Probe Fire Incident At Zamfara INEC Office

The Zamfara State Police Command has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fire incident at the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission.

This is according to a statement signed by INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, which lamented the loss of valuable election materials that were not recoverable from the fire.

Recall that the fire had ravaged the INEC office situated in the Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of the state.

According to INEC, the fire started at about 11pm on Monday with no casualties involved.

The statement read, “The Resident Electoral Commissioner for Zamfara State, Professor Sa’idu Babura Ahmed, has reported that our office in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area was gutted by fire.

“The tragic incident occurred around 11.00pm on Monday 2nd May 2022. No casualties were reported while critical materials such as Permanent Voters’ Cards and registration machines for the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration exercise stored in fireproof cabinets were saved.

“However, the building was extensively damaged. A number of fixed and movable office furniture were destroyed in spite of the best effort of the Zamfara State Fire Service and the spirited efforts of good Samaritans to contain the inferno.

“The attention of the Nigeria Police has been drawn to this incident. Together with the Fire Service, they have commenced an investigation to ascertain the cause of the fire and advise the Commission for further action.”