Fire Destroys INEC Office in Sokoto, 558 Ballot Boxes Burnt
Sokoto, February 14, 2025 – NIGPOST
A fire outbreak has gutted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Gwadabawa Local Government Area of Sokoto State, destroying 558 ballot boxes and other essential electoral materials.
The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, February 11, 2025, was confirmed by INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun.
Extent of Damage
According to Olumekun, the fire caused severe destruction to the building and key electoral materials, including:
- 558 ballot boxes
- 186 voting enclosures (cubicles)
- 186 election bags
- 12 large water tanks (1,000 litres each)
- 400 sleeping mats
- 300 plastic buckets
He added that furniture, fixtures, and other electoral materials were also lost in the inferno.
Possible Cause and Investigation
Olumekun stated that preliminary reports from INEC’s state office indicated a sudden power surge before the fire outbreak.
However, the actual cause of the fire is still under investigation by security and safety agencies.
Thankfully, no injuries or fatalities were recorded in the incident.
INEC’s Response
To ensure that its operations in Gwadabawa LGA are not completely disrupted, INEC is seeking an alternative, temporary facility to continue its activities.
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