Suspected political thugs on Sunday attacked a Permanent Voter Card (PVC) distribution centre in Okuku, the headquarters of Odo-Otin Local Government Area of Osun State, making away with packs of PVCs.
The incident occurred at the Oyinlola DC Primary School, Ward 2, where officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were distributing PVCs to registered voters.
According to eyewitnesses, the armed hoodlums stormed the venue, fired several gunshots into the air, causing panic among residents and election officials, before carting away packs of PVCs and fleeing the scene before security operatives arrived.
The spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed the attack, stating that about 10 armed hoodlums invaded the distribution centre.
He said the attackers fired sporadically into the air and made away with three packs of PVCs before escaping.
Ojelabi disclosed that the Commissioner of Police in the state, Ibrahim Gotan, has condemned the attack and ordered a comprehensive investigation to identify, arrest and prosecute those responsible.
Reacting to the incident, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of INEC in Osun State, Oluwatoyin Babalola, also condemned the attack.
She said she was awaiting a detailed report on the incident and could not immediately confirm the exact number of PVCs stolen by the hoodlums.
Despite the attack, Babalola assured residents that the forthcoming governorship election would be free, fair, credible, inclusive and transparent.
