Gunmen yet to be identified by the police have made away with three packs of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) after attacking officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the Odo-Otin Local Government Area of Osun State.
The development was disclosed on Sunday via a statement issued in Osogbo by the spokesperson for the state police command, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi.
According to him, about 10 suspected thugs stormed Oyinlola DC Primary School, Ward 2, in the Odo-Otin Local Government Area, where INEC officials were distributing PVCs.
He added that the assailants fired several gunshots into the air, forcing electoral officials to flee before escaping with packs of Permanent Voter Cards.
He went on to state that the state’s 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,” the police spokesperson said.
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Ojelabi further reiterated the command’s commitment to professionalism and strict adherence to the rule of law in the discharge of its responsibilities.
He 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.
He 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 normality 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.
The incident marks the latest in a series of violent incidents recorded ahead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State.