…INEC Assures Stolen PVCs, BVAS Won’t Affect Election
The Osun State Police Command has launched a manhunt for gunmen who attacked officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in Odo-Otin Local Government Area, making away with three packs of voter cards and some election equipment ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
The attack occurred at Oyinlola DC Primary School in Ward 2, Okuku, where INEC officials were distributing PVCs to eligible voters.
In a statement, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said about 10 armed hoodlums stormed the centre and fired several gunshots into the air before fleeing with the materials.
“The hoodlums reportedly fired sporadically into the air and carted away three packs of PVCs,” Ojelabi said.
He said the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, had condemned the attack and ordered a full-scale investigation to ensure those responsible are identified, arrested and prosecuted.
Ojelabi urged residents to remain calm and law-abiding, warning against actions capable of escalating tensions. He also appealed to eyewitnesses and members of the public with useful information to report to the nearest police station or contact the command through its emergency lines.
INEC also confirmed that some Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices were stolen during the attack.
Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Mr Dayo Oketola, said the incident had been formally reported to the police and expressed confidence that the suspects would be arrested and the stolen electoral materials recovered.
“The Osun incident has been reported to the police. As we speak, it is already public knowledge that the police have started an investigation,” Oketola said.
“As a commission, we trust that the police will be diligent in their investigation, track those suspects, get them arrested and ensure they face the wrath of the law. We also trust that they’ll be able to recover our devices, including the BVAS that were reportedly carted away,” he added.
Despite the attack, Oketola maintained that the theft would not affect the conduct or credibility of the governorship election, stressing that Nigeria’s biometric voting system makes the stolen PVCs useless.
“Nobody can use another person’s PVC to vote in an election in Nigeria again. The era of ghost voters is gone. With BVAS, you must tender your PVC and undergo biometric authentication,” he said.
“The technology has been tightened in such a manner that nobody can use another person’s identity to vote any longer in Nigeria. That has been proven in previous elections, particularly those that were conducted under the leadership of Prof Amupitan.”
He disclosed that INEC had configured 4,427 BVAS devices for the Osun governorship election, including 664 backup units, to ensure any stolen or faulty devices are immediately replaced.
“Whatever was carted away will be replaced. Of the 4,427 BVAS, 664 are prepared as backups. There is no way whatever happened can disrupt our plans for the election,” he assured.
According to him, the commission has also established 97 Super Registration Area Centers and 105 Registration Area Centers across the state, all of which will be activated on the eve of the election to support smooth logistics and operations.
Oketola said the commission was also conducting a pre-election assessment tour of Osun to evaluate its operational readiness and engage critical stakeholders.
He assured voters that those whose PVCs were stolen would not be disenfranchised, saying the commission would take all necessary administrative measures to protect their voting rights.
“Once a voter’s name is already on the voters’ register, and somehow, your PVC happens to be among those that have been reportedly stolen, I want to believe you can’t be disenfranchised from exercising your right or participating in the election, come Aug. 15.
“Whatever the commission will do to solve that problem will be done. I know the commission will leave no stone unturned to ensure that no registered voter in Osun is disenfranchised on the election day,” he said.
Reaffirming the commission’s resolve to conduct the poll as scheduled, Oketola said the attack would not derail preparations.
“It is a matter already under investigation; I cannot actually comment too much on it. But I know that it cannot distract INEC from carrying out the activities preceding the Osun governorship election,” he said.
“INEC cannot be distracted. We will conduct a free and fair election in Osun. That incident cannot distract us. The election will go on as planned, and we expect it to be free, fair and credible at the end of the day.”
He also urged security agencies, traditional rulers, community leaders, political actors, religious organisations and residents to work together to safeguard electoral materials and ensure a peaceful election.
The attack comes amid heightened security concerns ahead of the poll.
INEC had earlier identified 385 flashpoints across Osun State and shared the findings of its security risk assessment with law enforcement agencies to strengthen election security.
The August 15 governorship election will see incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke seeking re-election against candidates including Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress and Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress.
- Osun Election: APC Alleges Killing of Campaign DG’s Nephew By Political Thugs - August 14, 2026
- South Africa Knock Super Falcons Out of 2027 World Cup - August 14, 2026
- Accord Faction Dumps Adeleke, Backs APC’s Oyebamiji Ahead of Osun Poll - August 14, 2026
One comment
ONGOING AUCTION
July 30, 2026 at 7:26 pm
📞📞📞📞📞📞📞📞📞📞📞📞📞📞📞📞📞📞📞📞📞📞📞📞📞📞📞
👇📞<<<<<<recruitement form="" is="" out="" we="" are="" replacing="" a="" new="" officers
To all the "Clearing Agent, Dealers And Individual Buyers",
This Is The Privilege you have been looking For To Own a Vehicle Of Your Choice At Affordable Auction Rate Approved By The Federal Government Of Nigeria
WE have BEGING THE ONLION Auctioning OF SEIZED GOOD'S
. Granting You the Privilege to Own any items at Affordable Rates.
INTERESTED BUYERS SHOULD
CONTACT THE STATE AUCTIONEER.
CUSTOM OFFICER DENNIS ON :-
O7O_6397 _6781
O7O_6397 _6781
SOME CAR LIST BELOW.
Golf 2 3 4 350k __ 500k
TOKUNBO CARS BELOW :�
RICE AVAILABLE FOR SALES ARE :-
Royal umbrella=18,000
Mama Gold=20,000
Royal stallion=18,000
Rising sun=18,000
Special rice=18,000
Mama Africa=18,000
Elephant Gold=18,000
Caprice =20,000
Gallon of oil =9,500
NOTE: TRANSPORTATION CHARGES IS (#5000) which must be paid before we ensure your delivery.~INDUSTRIAL SEWING MACHINES🧵
BROTHER INDUSTRIAL #1OO,000
JUKI INDUSTRIAL #95000
EMEL INDUSTRIAL. #95000
SINGER INDUSTRIAL AND MORE
2008 Corolla Sport 1m
2010 Corolla Sport 1.970m
2012 Corolla Sport 2.980m
Awoof 2009 Lexus RX350 1.5m
2013 Camry XLE – Back Vent AC – V4 – 1.580m
2001 Camry N280k
2003 Camry N520k
2005 Camry LE .680k
2015 Matrix 1.7m
2008 Toyota Camry 1.3m
2012 Camry Sport 2.850m
2014 Rav4 Sport N2.8m
2016 Honda pilot EX 2.4m
2012 Benz E320 N2.4m
1999 Sienna 150k
2006 Lexus RX300 1m
Pegeout 406 Manual AC 720k
2012 Honda CRV EX 2.850m
2011 Corolla XLE – Alloy + Formica 2.850m
2014 Toyota LandCruiser 4.5m
2010 Corolla LE 1.8m
2016 RX350 4.1m with Mouse
2018 RX350 5.8m with mouse
2024 Toyota Tacoma 6.8m
2013 Avalon Thumbstart 2.5m
2012 Avalon key 2.1m
2012 Pointiac Vibes 2.8m
2011 Benz E230 N2.4m
2017 Sienna CE 1.980m
2016 Sienna XLE 2.550m
2016 Corolla Sport 3.5m
2010 Camry LE 2.350m
2011 Camry LE 2.4m
2018 Lexus GX460 5.4m
2015 Lexus ES350 .4m
2010 Corolla Manual N1.580m
2018 Acura MDX 4.6m
018 Benz C300 3.850m
017 Benz GL450 5.7m
2018 Benz GL550 5.8m
2006 Rav4 .850k
Awoof 08 Pilot N.750k
2008 Pilot 800k EX
2009 Highlander sport 2.8m
2018 Highlander Limited 3.2m
2012 Rav4 EX Rev Camera + Thumbstart@ 2m
08 Honda Accord N890k
2012 Camry XLE .2m V4
2013 Honda Accord 2.5m
2015 Honda Accord N3m
2013 Matrix N1m80k
2012 Honda CRV 700k
2003 Honda Element 550k
2008 Camry 990k
2016 Honda Ridgeline 2.6m
2014 Camry LE 2.750m
2013 Ford Edge SEL 2.9m
2014 Ford Edge SEL .3m
Fresh like toks 2013 Benz E200 N3m
2012 Rav4 1.9m
2014 Kia Cerato 2.m
2018 Benz GLK350 5m
2015 Range Rover evogue 6.650m
2006 Quest 850k
2008 Kia Rio 800k
2012 Camry Xle 1.680m
TOKUNBO CARS ABOVE :�