Gunmen raid Osun PVC distribution centre, cart away voter cards ahead of governorship election

Suspected political thugs have attacked a Permanent Voter's Card (PVC) distribution centre in Okuku, headquarters of Odo-Otin Local Government Area of Osun State, carting away packs of voter cards just weeks before the state's governorship election.

The incident occurred on Sunday, July 26, while officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were distributing PVCs at Oyinlola DC Primary School, Ward 2.

According to eyewitnesses, the armed men arrived at the venue and fired several gunshots into the air, sending residents and INEC officials fleeing for safety before making away with packs of PVCs.

Confirming the attack, the spokesperson of the Osun State Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, said about 10 armed hoodlums invaded the centre, fired sporadically into the air and fled with three packs of PVCs before security operatives could apprehend them.

Ojelabi said the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, has condemned the attack and ordered a full-scale investigation to identify and prosecute those behind the incident.

Reacting to the development, Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Oluwatoyin Babalola, also condemned the attack, adding that she was awaiting a detailed report and could not immediately confirm the exact number of PVCs stolen.

The incident comes ahead of the Osun State governorship election, which is scheduled to hold on August 15.