Suspected hoodlums on Sunday invaded a Permanent Voter Card (PVC) distribution centre at Oyinlola DC Primary School in Okuku, Odo-Otin Local Government Area of Osun State, making away with several voter cards after disrupting the exercise.
The attack reportedly caused panic among residents and prospective voters who had gathered at the venue, forcing many to flee for safety.
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An eyewitness, identified simply as Gbadebo, told our correspondent that the assailants entered the premises unnoticed before suddenly opening fire into the air and heading straight for the PVCs kept near officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“The incident happened on Sunday at Oyinlola DC Primary School, Ward 2, Okuku. We were waiting to collect our PVCs when the hoodlums appeared. I didn’t notice when they entered the premises.
“They fired gunshots into the air, causing everyone to run for safety. They then went directly to where the INEC officials had kept the PVCs and escaped with some packs. There were about eight of them,” Gbadebo said.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, said the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, strongly condemned the attack.
According to Ojelabi, the police commissioner has ordered a full-scale investigation aimed at identifying, apprehending, and prosecuting everyone connected to the incident.
He added that tactical teams and intelligence operatives had been deployed to track down the suspects and recover the stolen PVCs.
“Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Osun State were peacefully distributing Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) at Oyinlola DC Primary School, Ward 2, Odo-Otin Local Government Area, when they came under attack by about 10 armed thugs.
“The attackers fired several shots into the air before making away with three packs of Permanent Voter Cards.
“The Commissioner of Police has condemned the attack and directed a thorough investigation to ensure that all those responsible are identified, arrested, and brought to justice.
“The command remains committed to carrying out its constitutional responsibilities with professionalism and in accordance with the rule of law.
“We urge members of the public to remain calm, obey the law, and avoid actions that could escalate tensions or disrupt public peace,” Ojelabi stated.
He also appealed to residents and eyewitnesses with useful information that could aid the investigation to report to the nearest police station or contact the Osun State Police Command through its emergency telephone lines.
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