By Sabiu Abdullahi
Gunmen have attacked officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during a Permanent Voter Card (PVC) distribution exercise in Odo-Otin Local Government Area of Osun State, making away with election materials, including PVCs and Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices.
The Osun State Police Command said the incident occurred at Oyinlola DC Primary School, Ward 2, where INEC officials were issuing PVCs to eligible voters.
In a statement, the command’s spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, said about 10 suspected thugs invaded the venue, fired several shots into the air and forced electoral officials to flee before escaping with three packs of PVCs.
Ojelabi said the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, had condemned the attack and directed a full-scale investigation to ensure those responsible are identified and prosecuted.
“Tactical and intelligence assets have been deployed, and efforts have been intensified to apprehend the perpetrators and recover the stolen PVCs,” the statement said.
The police spokesperson also disclosed that officers restored calm in Ile-Ife after suspected thugs caused a disturbance around the Mayfair Garage area, which briefly disrupted public peace.
He assured residents that the command remained committed to protecting lives and property and would continue to uphold professionalism and the rule of law. He also appealed to members of the public with useful information to report to the nearest police station.
Meanwhile, the Chief Press Secretary to the Osun INEC Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, confirmed that some BVAS devices were stolen during the attack. He said the commission was awaiting the outcome of the police investigation.
“We are still awaiting the outcome of the police investigation. The police are already investigating that matter, so we are waiting for the outcome of the investigation. I think they started a manhunt for those people, and of course, they promised that they would arrest them,” Oketola said.
“We are waiting for the police to get back to us on the matter, and the headquarters is also waiting for the police to revert to us. So, nothing new yet.”
Oketola explained that only a small number of BVAS machines were taken.
“It is not a lot of BVAS. They only took BVAS devices that were being used at the time of the attack. I don’t have the number. But I do not think it’s a lot,” he said.
He also assured voters that the theft would not affect the conduct of the forthcoming governorship election.
“I want you to know that stealing BVAS is not going to affect the election because the BVAS are useless in their hands,” he said.
“The BVAS cannot affect the election in any way, and of course, the commission will replace the stolen BVAS, and every other plan will go ahead.”
On reports that PVCs were stolen, Oketola said he could only confirm the theft of BVAS devices because the police were still investigating the incident.
“I only know of the BVAS for now, but as I said, whatever material has been stolen, the police are investigating,” he said.
“We trust the police not just to do the investigation; we trust the police to nab these hoodlums and make them face the music.
“But as I said, I cannot speak on the matter that is being investigated by the police.
“I trust that the police would do their job well and then the suspects would be nabbed and, of course, made to face the wrath of the law. That’s what we have for now.”
Osun State is scheduled to hold its governorship election on August 15, 2026.
