Suspected political thugs on Sunday attacked a Permanent Voter Card (PVC) distribution centre in Okuku, headquarters of Odo-Otin Local Government Area of Osun State, making away with packs of voter cards after firing gunshots into the air.
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.
According to Channels Television, the armed hoodlums stormed the centre, fired sporadically into the air, causing panic among residents and election officials before fleeing with the stolen PVCs.
There were conflicting accounts of the number of packs taken. Eyewitnesses reportedly said two packs were carted away, while the spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, stated that about 10 armed hoodlums escaped with three packs of PVCs.
Ojelabi said the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, had condemned the attack and ordered a comprehensive investigation to identify and prosecute those responsible.
Reacting to the incident, Osun Resident Electoral Commissioner, Oluwatoyin Babalola, also condemned the attack. She said she was awaiting a detailed report and could not immediately confirm the exact number of PVCs stolen.
Babalola, however, reassured residents that the forthcoming Osun governorship election would be free, fair, credible, inclusive and transparent.
