Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Osun State Police Command has launched an investigation into the attack on officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission at a Permanent Voter Card distribution centre in Okuku, headquarters of Odo-Otin Local Government Area, where suspected hoodlums carted away packs of PVCs on Sunday. The incident occurred at the Oyinlola DC Primary School, Ward 2, where INEC officials were peacefully distributing PVCs to eligible voters ahead of the August 15 governorship election. Eyewitnesses said about eight to ten armed hoodlums stormed the venue, fired sporadically into the air to scare away INEC officials and prospective voters before making away with packs of PVCs .
A resident of Okuku told journalists that the perpetrators entered the premises unnoticed and went straight to where the cards were kept. "They shot into the air and disrupted the exercise. Some of us fled in different directions, and they went straight to where the INEC staff kept the PVCs and made away with some packs," he said. The attack triggered panic as people at the scene ran in different directions, while the hoodlums escaped before police could arrive. The Osun State Police Command confirmed the attack, with spokesperson SP Abiodun Ojelabi stating that about ten armed thugs invaded the distribution centre, fired sporadically, and carted away three packs of PVCs.
Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Gotan has condemned the incident and directed a comprehensive investigation to identify, arrest, and prosecute those responsible. The command has deployed tactical and intelligence teams to track down the suspects and recover the stolen voter cards. The police have appealed to residents and eyewitnesses with credible information that could assist the investigation to promptly report to the nearest police station or contact the command through its emergency lines. The attack comes at a critical time as Osun State prepares for its governorship election on August 15, 2026, with political tensions running high across the state. The theft of PVCs raises concerns about potential voter disenfranchisement and the integrity of the electoral process, as the cards remain the only valid means of accreditation for voting on election day.
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