By Ismail Azeez
The Osun State Police Command has confirmed the disruption of the ongoing Permanent Voter Card (PVC) distribution exercise in Odo-Otin Local Government Area after armed hoodlums allegedly attacked officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and carted away three packs of PVCs.
The Command also disclosed that it restored calm in Ile-Ife after a public disturbance involving suspected thugs around the Mayfair Garage area.
This was contained in a statement signed on Sunday by the Police image maker, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said the Commissioner of Police ordered the immediate deployment of operatives to the Mayfair Garage area following credible intelligence that a group of suspected thugs had become unruly, disrupting public peace.
According to the statement, officers used minimal and proportionate force to restore order while ensuring the safety of residents and the protection of lives and property.
The police said normalcy has since been restored in the area.
The Command further revealed that armed thugs attacked INEC officials who were peacefully distributing PVCs at Oyinlola DC Primary School, Ward 2, in Odo-Otin Local Government Area.
According to the police, “The Osun State Police Command wishes to inform members of the public that it received credible information that a group of suspected thugs had gathered around the Mayfair Garage area of Ile-Ife, Osun State, where they became unruly, resulting in a temporary disruption of public peace and order.
“Upon receiving the report, the Commissioner of Police immediately directed the deployment of police operatives to the area to prevent further escalation and restore normalcy. The situation was brought under control through the use of minimal and proportionate force, while ensuring that the safety of members of the public and the protection of lives and property remained paramount.
“In a related development, 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 ten armed thugs. The hoodlums reportedly fired sporadically into the air and carted away three packs of Permanent Voter Cards (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 Command reiterates its unwavering commitment to professionalism and strict adherence to the rule of law in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities. Members of the public are urged to remain calm, law-abiding, and refrain from any action capable of causing further breach of the peace.
“The Command further appeals to residents and eyewitnesses with credible information that may assist the ongoing investigation to promptly report to the nearest police station or contact the Command through its emergency lines. Anyone found exploiting these incidents to foment violence or disrupt public order will be dealt with in accordance with the law.
“The situation in Ile-Ife has been brought under control, and normalcy has been restored. The Osun State Police Command reassures residents of Ile-Ife, Odo-Otin, and the entire state of its unwavering commitment to the protection of lives and property, as well as the maintenance of peace, law, and public order,” it added.