SUSOECTED armed hoodlums on Sunday invaded a Permanent Voter Card (PVC) distribution centre in Osun State, disrupted the ongoing exercise by firing shots into the air and made away with packs of voter cards, triggering panic among residents and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
News Point Nigeria reports that the incident occurred at the ward collation centre located at Oyinlola DC Primary School, Ward 2, Okuku, in Odo-Otin Local Government Area of the state, where INEC officials were distributing PVCs to eligible voters.
The attack reportedly brought the exercise to an abrupt halt as people waiting to collect their voter cards scampered for safety in different directions after the gunmen stormed the premises.
A resident of Okuku, identified simply as Gbadebo, said the attackers entered the venue unnoticed before suddenly opening fire into the air as they moved towards the area where INEC officials had placed packs of Permanent Voter Cards.
According to him, the hoodlums headed straight for the PVCs positioned close to the chairs occupied by INEC officials attending to members of the public waiting to collect their voter cards.
“The incident occurred at Oyinlola DC School, Ward 2, Okuku, Osun State, on Sunday. Some of us were around 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 around fled in different directions, and they went straight to where those INEC staff put the PVCs and made away with some packs.
“The hoodlums involved are about eight in number,” Gbadebo said.
Confirming the incident in a statement, the spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, SP Abiodun Ojelabi, said the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, strongly condemned the attack.
According to Ojelabi, the Police Commissioner has directed a comprehensive investigation aimed at identifying, arresting and prosecuting everyone involved in the incident.
He added that tactical and intelligence assets of the command had already been deployed, while efforts had been intensified to apprehend the perpetrators and recover the stolen Permanent Voter Cards.
“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 with three packs of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
“The Commissioner of Police, Osun State Command, has condemned the incident in its entirety and has directed a comprehensive investigation with a view to identifying, arresting, and prosecuting all those responsible.
“The command reiterates its unwavering commitment to professionalism and strict adherence to the rule of law in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities.
“Members of the public are urged to remain calm, law-abiding, and refrain from any action capable of causing further breach of the peace,” Ojelabi said.
The police spokesperson also appealed to residents and eyewitnesses with credible information that could assist investigators to promptly report to the nearest police station or contact the Osun State Police Command through its designated emergency lines.