From David Onuoja, Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has reported that its office at Gwadabawa Local Government Area of Sokoto State has been ravaged by fire.
In a statement by the National Commissioner & Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, on Friday, said the fire stated at the early hours of the morning on Tuesday 11th February 2025.
He said, during its regular weekly meeting held on thursday 13th February, the fire was reported by the Administrative Secretary in charge of the State office, Mrs. Hauwa Aliyu Kangiwa, reported that the INEC office in Gwadabawa Local Government Area office in Sokoto state fire.
According to the statement, “the fire started in the early hours of the morning on Tuesday 11th February 2025. The entire building was damaged.
Items destroyed include furniture and fixtures as well as movable electoral facilities, among them 558 ballot boxes, 186 voting enclosures (cubicles), 186 election bags and various Registration Area Centre (RAC) materials such as 12 large water tanks (1,000 litres), 400 sleeping mats and 300 plastic buckets.
“Preliminary report from our State office indicates that there was a sudden surge from public power supply before the incident. However, the actual cause of the fire outbreak is being investigated by the security and safety agencies which have deployed their personnel to the facility.
“No injuries or fatalities were recorded. The Commission is making an effort to find an alternative temporary facility in the Local Government Area so that our activities are not completely disrupted”, it added.