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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Crime & Justice

Suspected hoodlums cart away PVCs at Osun LG distribution centre

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Under investigation
  • Suspected hoodlums attacked an INEC PVC distribution center in Osun State, carting away voter cards.
  • The incident disrupted the exercise at Oyinlola DC Primary School in Okuku.
  • Police are investigating the attack, urging the public to provide information to apprehend the perpetrators and recover the stolen cards.

An Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Permanent Voter Card (PVC) distribution center in Osun State was reportedly stormed by suspected hoodlums on Sunday, leading to the theft of several PVC packs. The incident occurred at Oyinlola DC Primary School in Okuku, disrupting the ongoing distribution exercise.

The incident occurred at Oyinlola DC Primary School, Ward 2, Okuku, Osun State, on Sunday. Some of us were there to collect our PVCs, and I can’t say when those hoodlums got into the premises.

— GbadeboA resident of Okuku, describing the attack.

Eyewitnesses reported that the perpetrators, numbering around eight, entered the school premises unnoticed. They fired shots into the air, causing panic among residents and INEC officials present to collect their cards. The hoodlums then proceeded to the area where the PVCs were kept and made off with multiple packs.

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. The hoodlums were about eight in number.

— GbadeboA resident of Okuku, detailing the hoodlums' actions.

The Osun State Police Command confirmed the attack, with spokesperson Abiodun Ojelabi stating that the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, condemned the incident. The Commissioner has ordered a comprehensive investigation to identify, arrest, and prosecute those responsible for the attack and the theft of the PVCs.

Some officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Osun State, who were peacefully distributing Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) at Oyinlola DC Primary School, Ward 2, Odo-Otin Local Government Area, were attacked by about 10 armed thugs.

— Abiodun OjelabiOsun State Police Command's spokesperson, confirming the incident.

Police have deployed tactical and intelligence assets to intensify efforts in apprehending the perpetrators and recovering the stolen voter cards. The command urged the public to remain calm and law-abiding, appealing to eyewitnesses with credible information to report to the nearest police station or contact the command's emergency lines. The incident has raised concerns about the security of electoral materials and processes ahead of future elections.

The hoodlums reportedly fired sporadically into the air and carted away three packs of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

— Abiodun OjelabiOsun State Police Command's spokesperson, detailing the stolen items.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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