Gunmen attack INEC officials, cart away PVCs in Osun

Armed hoodlums have attacked officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Odo-Otin Local Government Area of Osun State and made away with three packs of Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs.

The incident was disclosed by the police on Sunday, marking the latest in a series of violent incidents recorded ahead of the August 15 governorship election in the state.

In a statement issued in Osogbo, the spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said about 10 suspected thugs stormed Oyinlola DC Primary School, Ward 2, in Odo-Otin Local Government Area, where INEC officials were distributing PVCs.

According to Ojelabi, the attackers fired several gunshots into the air, forcing the electoral officials to flee before escaping with three packs of Permanent Voter Cards.

The police spokesperson said the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, had condemned the attack and ordered a comprehensive investigation to identify, arrest and prosecute those responsible.

“Tactical and intelligence assets have been deployed, and efforts have been intensified to apprehend the perpetrators and recover the stolen PVCs,” Ojelabi said.

He reiterated the command’s commitment to professionalism and strict adherence to the rule of law in the discharge of its responsibilities.

Ojelabi appealed to members of the public to remain calm, obey the law and avoid actions capable of escalating tension in the state.

He also called on residents and eyewitnesses with useful information that could assist the investigation to report to the nearest police station or contact the command through its emergency lines.

The police spokesperson warned that anyone found exploiting the incident to incite violence or disrupt public peace would face the full weight of the law.

Ojelabi further disclosed that operatives of the Osun State Police Command had restored normalcy in Ile-Ife after suspected thugs who gathered around the Mayfair Garage area became unruly, temporarily disrupting public peace and order.

He assured residents of the command’s unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property while maintaining law and order across the state.