“The police guards on duty at the residence engaged the hoodlums in a gun duel and denied them access to the premises.
The Nigeria Police Force, Kogi State Command has ordered a thorough investigation into the attack on the residence of the State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Hale Gabriel Longpet, in Lokoja, Kogi State capital.
This was made known in a statement signed by the Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer, William Aya, and made available to journalists in Lokoja on Friday.
According to the statement, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Bethrand Onuoha, condemned in strongest terms, the attack on the REC and tasked the deputy commissioner of police in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to commence investigation immediately.
The statement noted that “The command received distress today at 0311hours on the attack by unknown armed hoodlums who stormed the residence of the REC and started shooting sporadically.
“The police guards on duty at the residence engaged the hoodlums in a gun duel and denied them access to the premises.”
Similarly, the INEC has also called for a thorough investigation and enhanced security protection for its personnel and assets in the State.
The chief press secretary to the INEC chairman, Mr Rotimi Lawrence Oyekanmi, who made the demand on Friday in a statement said that “while no life was lost, 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.”
The Director of New Media Communication of the Muri/Sam Campaign Organisation, Isaiah Ijele, had reacted to the incident, saying the party or its flag-bearer in the just concluded gubernatorial election had no reason to organise hoodlums to attack INEC office or the REC.
He said, “We went to court to seek for redress over electoral malpractices and which the court has granted our prayers to inspect the materials used in the election. And the process is ongoing.”