Suspected hoodlums have set on fire the Akwa Ibom State office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) located in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area.

Friday’s incident comes a day to a crucial governorship and house of assembly elections in the state.

The cause of the fire remains unknown for now.

A security guard who was on duty at the INEC office told newsmen the fire started around 2 a.m. on Friday.

“We heard an explosion inside the building, when we rushed to check what it was, we saw flames of fire coming from one of the rooms,” the guard said.

“We raised alarm for help, and then we started fighting the fire, using water and sand. But it was too much for us.”

Some electoral materials were consumed in the fire. Several card readers meant for use in the elections on Saturday have been destroyed by the fire.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mike Igini, has visited the scene to ascertain the level of damage.

Reports say the police were able to recover some electoral materials which were not destroyed.