Suspected Thugs Raid Osun PVC Centre, Make Away with Voter Cards

A Permanent Voter Card (PVC) distribution centre located at Oyinlola DC Primary School in Okuku, Osun State, came under attack by suspected hoodlums on Sunday. The assailants reportedly disrupted the ongoing PVC collection exercise, managed by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and made off with a number of the voter cards.

The incident caused pandemonium, forcing prospective voters and INEC staff to flee in various directions. According to Gbadebo, a resident of Okuku who witnessed the event, the perpetrators gained access to the premises without initial detection. They then fired shots into the air before proceeding to seize packs of PVCs that were positioned near the INEC officials' workstations.

Gbadebo recounted, “The incident occurred at Oyinlola DC Primary School, Ward 2, Okuku, Osun State, on Sunday. Some of us were there to collect our PVCs, and I can’t say when those hoodlums got into the premises. They shot into the air and disrupted the exercise. Some of us fled in different directions, and they went straight to where the INEC staff kept the PVCs and made away with some packs. The hoodlums were about eight in number.”

Confirming the attack, Osun State Police Command's spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, stated that the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, has strongly condemned the act. Ojelabi further explained that the Commissioner has ordered a thorough investigation to identify, apprehend, and prosecute all individuals involved.

He added that the command has deployed tactical and intelligence units, intensifying efforts to arrest the culprits and recover the stolen PVCs. Ojelabi detailed the police account, stating, “Some officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Osun State, who were peacefully distributing Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) at Oyinlola DC Primary School, Ward 2, Odo-Otin Local Government Area, were attacked by about 10 armed thugs. The hoodlums reportedly fired sporadically into the air and carted away three packs of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).”

The Police Commissioner reiterated the command's dedication to professionalism and upholding the rule of law. Members of the public are advised to maintain calm, adhere to legal guidelines, and avoid any actions that could escalate the breach of peace. The command also urged residents and eyewitnesses with relevant information to report to the nearest police station or use their emergency contact lines to assist the investigation.