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 .
It was 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 .”

Comments