Armed hoodlums on Sunday invaded a ward collation centre at Oyinlola DC Primary School, Okuku, Osun State, where officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were distributing Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). The attackers disrupted the exercise and carted away several packs of PVCs.
Eyewitnesses said the assailants, numbering about eight, entered the premises quietly before firing shots into the air to disperse the crowd. Residents and prospective voters fled in panic as the hoodlums headed straight for the PVCs placed near INEC staff and escaped with the items.
Confirming the incident, the Public Relations Officer of the Osun State Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, said the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, had condemned the attack and ordered a full-scale investigation.
According to Ojelabi, tactical and intelligence units have been deployed to track down the perpetrators and recover the stolen PVCs. He noted that about 10 armed thugs were involved in the assault, adding that three packs of PVCs were taken.
“The Commissioner of Police has directed a comprehensive investigation to identify, arrest, and prosecute all those responsible. The command remains committed to professionalism and strict adherence to the rule of law in discharging its constitutional duties,” Ojelabi stated.
He urged members of the public to remain calm and law-abiding, and appealed to residents with credible information to assist the police by reporting to the nearest station or contacting the command through its emergency lines.
