Armed hoodlums suspected to be political thugs on Sunday disrupted the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in Okuku, the headquarters of Odo-Otin Local Government Area of Osun State, carting away several packs of voter cards after firing gunshots into the air and causing panic among electoral officials and residents.
The incident occurred at the Oyinlola DC Primary School, Ward 2, where officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were distributing PVCs to eligible voters ahead of the state’s governorship election. Eyewitnesses said the attackers stormed the venue unexpectedly, fired several shots into the air to disperse the crowd and forcefully seized packs of PVCs before fleeing the scene.
While initial reports indicated that two packs of PVCs were stolen, the spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, disclosed that about ten armed hoodlums carried out the attack and made away with three packs of the voter cards. He said the suspects escaped before security operatives arrived at the distribution centre.
Ojelabi said the Commissioner of Police in Osun State, Ibrahim Gotan, has strongly condemned the attack and ordered a comprehensive investigation into the incident. According to him, the police have commenced efforts to identify, arrest and prosecute all those involved, while assuring residents that security agencies remain committed to safeguarding the electoral process.
Reacting to the incident, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of INEC in Osun State, Oluwatoyin Babalola, also condemned the attack, describing it as unfortunate. She disclosed that she was awaiting a detailed report from officials at the affected distribution centre and could not immediately confirm the exact number of PVCs stolen during the invasion.
Despite the disruption, the REC reassured residents that the incident would not undermine preparations for the forthcoming governorship election. She maintained that INEC remained committed to conducting a free, fair, credible, inclusive and transparent election, urging eligible voters to remain peaceful and continue participating in the electoral process.
The attack has raised fresh concerns over election-related security in Osun State as political activities intensify ahead of the governorship poll. Authorities have assured the public that measures are being strengthened to protect electoral personnel, materials and voters throughout the election period.
