Tension gripped residents of Okuku in Osun State on Sunday after suspected political thugs attacked a Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) distribution centre and made away with packs of voter cards ahead of the state’s governorship election.
The incident occurred at Oyinlola DC Primary School, Ward 2, where officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were issuing PVCs to registered voters.
According to reports, a group of armed men stormed the distribution centre, fired several gunshots into the air, and forced residents and election officials to flee for safety. The attackers reportedly escaped with packs of PVCs before security operatives arrived at the scene.
Confirming the attack, the spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, said about 10 armed hoodlums carried out the operation. He disclosed that the suspects fired indiscriminately before fleeing with three packs of PVCs.
Ojelabi added that the Commissioner of Police in Osun State, Ibrahim Gotan, has strongly condemned the incident and ordered a full-scale investigation to track down those responsible and ensure they face prosecution.
The Independent National Electoral Commission also reacted to the attack. Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Oluwatoyin Babalola, described the incident as unfortunate and condemned the disruption of the PVC distribution exercise.
Babalola said she was awaiting a comprehensive report from officials before confirming the exact number of voter cards stolen during the attack. She noted that preliminary information was still being compiled.
The security breach comes as Osun State prepares for its governorship election scheduled for August 15. The attack has raised fresh concerns about election security and the protection of electoral materials during the build-up to the poll.
Authorities have assured residents that investigations are ongoing and have urged members of the public to provide useful information that could assist security agencies in identifying and arresting the perpetrators.
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