Angry youths protesting the upsurge of bandit attacks in Benue State have burnt down the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) office in Sankara, headquarters of Ukum Local Government Area, Benue State.

Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner & Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.

According to the statement, “the incident occurred at 2pm today, Wednesday 3rd July 2024, when the youths in the area said to be protesting against the activities of bandits attacked facilities of government agencies, including INEC.”

Olumekun allayed fears over casualty as he revealed that no life was lost.

He said security agencies were informed and they have adequately deployed their personnel.

The statement reads in part:”The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Benue State, Professor Sam Egwu, has reported that our Local Government Area office in Sankara, headquarters of Ukum Local Government Area, has been attacked and burnt down.

“The incident occurred at 2pm today, Wednesday 3rd July 2024, when the youths in the area said to be protesting against the activities of bandits attacked facilities of government agencies, including INEC.

“Although no causalties were reported, the building has been extensively damaged. Office furniture and other movable and immovable materials, including 10 electric generators, 300 ballot boxes and 270 voting cubicles, were destroyed in the attack.

“The attention of security agencies has drawn to the incident and they have already deployed their personnel to the area,” it added. (Nigerian Tribune)