Fire gutted the Ondo State Office of the Independent National Electoral Commission on Thursday night, 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.
H-Forbes gathered that the fire also destroyed some relevant items in a section of the office.
According to our source, the security operatives cordoned off the premises.
Rotimi Oyekanmi, who is the Chief Press Secretary to INEC chairman attested the incident in a short statement titled ‘Fire at INEC office in Akure’.
He stated 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 halting the fire.
“Festus Okoye, who is INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of it’s Information and Voter Education Committee who is in Ondo State in connection with preparations for the Ondo State Governorship election scheduled for October 10, 2020, rushed to the office at about 8 pm.
“The Administrative Secretary of the State, Mr. Popoola, and some staff of the commission were also there to contain the fire.
“Festus stated that a thorough investigation into the cause of the fire will commence promptly after the fire has been halted.”
