Nigeria: Police kill three gunmen attacking Electoral Commission office

Police in Nigeria have killed three gunmen while repelling an attack on an office of the Electoral Commission (INEC) in the south-eastern region of the populated African country which is heading to presidential elections early next year.

The attackers tried to storm the main INEC office in Owerri, capital of Imo State, police said, on Monday.

“The INEC headquarters in Owerri was attacked early this morning by gunmen who destroyed part of the building, furniture and equipment,” Michael Abattam, spokesman for the Imo State police told AFP.

An exchange of fire broke out, “three of the attackers were killed and two were arrested,” Abattam added.

The attack is the third incident in Imo State in two weeks, on INEC facilities. No side has claimed responsibility for the attack though fingers are pointed towards separatists, Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) movement.

The INEC recently warned of the threat of increased violence during the election campaign, adding that it had recorded at least 50 attacks since the exercise began nearly two months ago.

Nigerians will head to the polls in February to elect a successor to President Muhammadu Buhari. The former army general, is not standing for re-election after two terms in office.