Gunmen attack INEC officials, cart away PVCs, BVAS devices in Osun
Armed men attacked officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in Odo-Otin Local Government Area of Osun State.
According to a statement by the spokesperson of the Osun State Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, the attackers fled with three packs of PVCs after carrying out the assault.
Ojelabi said about 10 suspected thugs invaded Oyinlola DC Primary School, Ward 2, where INEC officials were conducting the PVC distribution exercise.
He explained that the suspects fired gunshots into the air, forcing electoral officials to abandon the venue before the attackers escaped with the PVCs.
The police spokesperson said the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, condemned the incident and directed a full-scale investigation to ensure those behind the attack are identified and brought to justice.
“Tactical and intelligence assets have been deployed, and efforts have been intensified to apprehend the perpetrators and recover the stolen PVCs,” the statement reads.
He also disclosed that police officers restored calm in Ile-Ife after suspected hoodlums caused a disturbance around the Mayfair Garage area, disrupting normal activities.
Ojelabi assured residents that the command remains committed to safeguarding lives and property while ensuring peace and security across the state.
He reaffirmed that officers of the command would continue to carry out their duties professionally and in line with the law.
The police spokesperson urged residents and anyone with useful information about the incident to report to the nearest police station.
BVAS theft will not affect election
Speaking with TheCable on Monday, Adedayo Oketola, Chief Press Secretary to the Osun INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, confirmed that preliminary findings showed some Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices were stolen during the attack.
“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.”
He said the number of missing BVAS devices was minimal.
“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.
Oketola stressed that the incident would not disrupt the conduct of the election or affect its credibility.
“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 the reported theft of PVCs, he said he could not immediately verify the claim, adding that all items allegedly taken are being investigated by the police.
“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.
