The assailants took the extreme step of barricading all entrances to the office, obstructing staff members from carrying out their routine duties.

Fortunately, the military oficers intervened andaverted the situation from escalating further.

The incident, detailed in a statement titled "Siege on the INEC State Headquarters in Lokoja," was released by the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Hale Longpet, and provided to the news journalist on Wednesday evening.

“The siege also prevented attorneys representing political parties involved in the recent off-cycle governorship election from inspecting documents/materials used in the election.

“The security agencies have assured us that they will maintain normalcy on our premises,” the statement partly read.

The commission promised all parties and litigants of its commitment to granting unimpeded access to all materials needed to prosecute their petitions.