There was panic in Okuku, the headquarters of Odo-Otin Local Government Area of Osun State, on Sunday after armed hoodlums invaded an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) collection centre and snatched away voter cards.

The incident occurred at the Oyinlola DC School, Ward 2, Okuku, where INEC officials were distributing PVCs to eligible voters.

Sources said about 10 armed hoodlums stormed the centre, fired sporadically into the air to disperse residents and fled with an unspecified number of PVCs.

Reacting to the incident, the Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, condemned the attack, saying the commission was awaiting a detailed report before determining the exact number of stolen PVCs.

“As I speak to you, I am waiting for the report of the attack. I cannot say the figure of PVCs that were taken away. We want to ascertain the number,” she said.

Babalola, however, reassured residents that the commission remained committed to conducting a free, fair, credible, inclusive and transparent election.

Confirming the attack, the Osun State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said INEC officials were attacked while peacefully distributing PVCs. Maps

He said about 10 armed thugs fired shots into the air before carting away three packs of Permanent Voter Cards from the collection centre.

The police said efforts were underway to apprehend those responsible and recover the stolen PVCs.

“The Commissioner of Police, Osun State Command, has condemned the incident in its entirety and has directed a comprehensive investigation with a view to identifying, arresting, and prosecuting all those responsible. Tactical and intelligence assets have been deployed, and efforts have been intensified to apprehend the perpetrators and recover the stolen PVCs.”

The Osun State House of Assembly Speaker, Hon Adewale Egbedun through his Chief Press Secretary, Olamide Tiamiyu in a statement fingered the opposition party, All Progressives Congress(APC) for perpetrating the invasion.

He described the incident as a grave assault on Nigeria’s democracy and the sanctity of the electoral process, warning that any attempt to intimidate voters, compromise electoral materials or manipulate the democratic process poses a serious threat to free and fair elections and must not be tolerated.

He called on the relevant security agencies to launch an immediate, thorough and impartial investigation into the incident, identify those responsible and ensure they are brought to justice in accordance with the law.

Meanwhile, APC through the Head Media of its Campaign Council, Oluremi Omowaiye, speaking with THE NATION, alleged Egbedun for bankrolling hoodlums to disrupt the distribution exercise on Sunday morning.

He said, “It is obvious that Accord Party is losing it every day, hence its party leader in Odo-Otin, the Speaker, Egbedun who is known for assaulting people including his king recruited thugs to the collection points for disruption.

“We urge security agencies to arrest Egbedun and other suspected wanted criminals who are hibernating in the Government House and sharing immunity with Governor Ademola Adeleke.” (The Nation)

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