LAGOS, July 4 (Xinhua) -- Nigeria's election management body said on Monday that unidentified arsonists set ablaze a building belonging to one of its branches in Nigeria's southern state of Enugu late on Sunday.
The attackers, who were on the rampage in the Igbo-Eze North local government area of Enugu attacked on Sunday the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the area, destroying 748 ballot boxes, 240 voting cubicles, and other office furniture and equipment, said Festus Okoye, the INEC's national spokesman, in a statement.
"The arsonists overpowered the security guards, forced their way into the premises, and set the building ablaze," Okoye said.
No casualties were reported, said Okoye, adding the commission was working to ascertain the status of voter registration machines, as well as uncollected voter cards locked up in the fireproof cabinet.
He said the incident had been reported to the police for investigation and further action.
The attack, coming in the middle of the voter registration exercise and other preparations for the 2023 general elections, is worrisome, the INCE spokesperson added. ■