Armed hoodlums have attacked officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Osun State, making away with three packs of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) during an ongoing distribution exercise.
The incident occurred at Oyinlola DC Primary School, Ward 2, in Odo-Otin Local Government Area, where INEC officials were issuing PVCs to eligible voters ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
According to the Osun State Police Command, about 10 armed suspects stormed the venue and fired gunshots into the air, forcing electoral officials to flee before escaping with three packs of PVCs.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed the attack in a statement issued in Osogbo on Sunday, describing the incident as a serious security concern.
He disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, has ordered a full-scale investigation to identify and prosecute those responsible for the attack.
Ojelabi said tactical and intelligence teams have been deployed across the area to track down the suspects and recover the stolen PVCs.
“The police have intensified efforts to apprehend the perpetrators and retrieve the stolen Permanent Voter Cards,” he said.
The police spokesperson reassured residents of the command’s commitment to maintaining professionalism and upholding the rule of law while carrying out its responsibilities.
He urged members of the public to remain calm and avoid actions that could escalate tensions, while appealing to anyone with useful information about the incident to report to the nearest police station or contact the command through its emergency lines.
Ojelabi also warned that individuals attempting to exploit the incident to incite violence or disrupt public order would face legal consequences.
In a related development, the Osun State Police Command said it had restored normalcy in Ile-Ife after suspected hoodlums caused a disturbance around the Mayfair Garage area.
The command noted that officers swiftly responded to the situation, bringing the unrest under control and reaffirming their commitment to safeguarding lives, protecting property, and ensuring peace across Osun State.
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