Hoodlums Invade Osun PVC Distribution Centre

The distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) at an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) centre in Okuku, Odo-Otin Local Government Area of Osun State, was disrupted on Sunday after armed hoodlums invaded the venue and made away with packs of voter cards.

The incident occurred at Oyinlola DC Primary School, Ward 2, where registered voters had gathered to collect their PVCs ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

According to eyewitnesses, the attackers, believed to be about eight in number, arrived unexpectedly and fired several gunshots into the air, causing panic among voters and INEC officials, who fled the scene for safety.

One witness, identified simply as Gbadebo, said the armed men appeared to know exactly where the voter cards had been kept. He said they went straight to the storage point, seized several packs of PVCs and escaped before security personnel could intervene.

The witness explained that many people waiting to collect their voter cards abandoned the exercise and ran in different directions as the gunshots created confusion at the centre.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, SP Abiodun Ojelabi, said the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, had condemned the attack and ordered an immediate investigation.

According to the police, about 10 armed thugs carried out the operation, disrupted the distribution exercise by shooting into the air and escaped with three packs of Permanent Voter Cards.

Ojelabi said the Commissioner of Police had directed detectives to begin a full investigation to identify everyone involved, arrest the suspects and ensure they are prosecuted.

He added that tactical teams and intelligence officers had already been deployed to track those responsible, recover the stolen PVCs and prevent any attempt to interfere with the electoral process.

The police assured residents that adequate security measures were being implemented across the state to protect election-related activities ahead of the governorship poll.

The command also appealed to members of the public with useful information about the attack or the whereabouts of the suspects to report to the nearest police station or contact the police through its emergency lines.

Residents were urged to remain calm, cooperate with security agencies and avoid actions capable of creating further tension as investigations continue.