Gunmen Storm INEC Office, Snatch PVCs and BVAS in Osun—Will Election Still Hold?
Armed thugs unleash terror on electoral officials, fleeing with voter cards and accreditation machines as police launch manhunt.
OSUN, Nigeria – In a brazen daylight attack, gunmen invaded a primary school in Odo-Otin Local Government Area, sending INEC officials scrambling for safety while making off with thousands of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices.
The assault, which occurred at Oyinlola DC Primary School, Ward 2, saw about 10 suspected thugs fire sporadically into the air before carting away three packs of PVCs, according to police spokesperson Abiodun Ojelabi.
Police Vow to Catch Perpetrators
Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Gotan has condemned the attack in strong terms, ordering an immediate and comprehensive investigation.
“Tactical and intelligence assets have been deployed, and efforts have been intensified to apprehend the perpetrators and recover the stolen PVCs,” Ojelabi stated.
Meanwhile, normalcy has been restored in Ile-Ife after a separate incident where unruly thugs gathered around Mayfair garage area, temporarily disrupting public peace.
INEC Insists: ‘BVAS Are Useless in Their Hands’
Despite the alarming security breach, INEC is playing down fears of electoral disruption. Adedayo Oketola, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, told TheCable that while some BVAS devices were stolen, the number was “insignificant.”
“Stealing BVAS is not going to affect the election because the BVAS are useless in their hands,” Oketola assured, adding that the commission would replace the stolen units before the August 15, 2026 governorship poll.
What Was Really Stolen?
While police confirmed the theft of PVC packs, INEC officials say they are still awaiting the outcome of the police investigation to confirm the full inventory of stolen items.
Oketola maintained confidence in law enforcement: “We trust the police not just to do the investigation; we trust the police to nab these hoodlums and make them face the music.”
Residents and eyewitnesses with useful information have been urged to report to the nearest police station.
