Fire guts INEC headquarters in Ondo, destroys card readers

Fire gutted the Ondo State Office of the Independent National Electoral Commission on Thursday, destroying Smart Card Readers.

This came barely one month to the governorship election in the state.

The cause of the inferno was unknown as of the time of filing this report.

The PUNCH gathered that the fire also destroyed some items in a section of the office.

When one of our correspondents visited the scene, security operatives cordoned off the premises.

The Chief Press Secretary to INEC chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, confirmed the incident in a short statement titled ‘Fire at INEC office in Akure’.

He noted that the commission would commence an immediate investigation into the cause of the fire.

He said, “Fire broke out today (Thursday) September 10, 2020, at the Ondo State Head Office of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Akure.

“The inferno, which gutted the container housing Smart Card Readers, started at 7.30 pm. Men of the Fire Service are however currently containing the fire.

“INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, who is in Ondo State in connection with preparations for the Ondo State Governorship election scheduled for October 10, 2020, rushed to the office about 8 pm.

“The Administrative Secretary of the State, Mr. Popoola, and some staff of the commission are also there.

“Okoye said an investigation into the cause of the fire will commence promptly after the fire has been contained.”