The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that its office in Gwadabawa Local Government Area of Sokoto State was gutted by fire, leading to the destruction of critical electoral materials.
In a statement released on Friday, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr. Sam Olumekun, said the fire outbreak occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, February 11, 2025.
According to the commission, the incident was reported by the Administrative Secretary in charge of the Sokoto State office, Mrs. Hauwa Aliyu Kangiwa. The fire caused severe damage to the building, destroying 558 ballot boxes, 186 voting cubicles, 186 election bags, and other electoral materials, including 12 large water tanks, 400 sleeping mats, and 300 plastic buckets.
Preliminary reports suggest the fire may have been triggered by a sudden surge in public power supply, but the actual cause is still under investigation by security and safety agencies. Fortunately, no injuries or fatalities were recorded.
INEC assured that efforts were underway to secure an alternative temporary facility in the local government area to ensure its operations continue without major disruptions.
