Hoodlums on Thursday stormed some venues designated for collection of Permanent Voter Cards in Ilesa West local government area of Osun State, and disrupted the exercise.
The development created panic in Igbogi, Isokun, Ibala, and all neighbourhoods within Ilesa metropolis, forcing people to stay indoors, as hoodlums wielding dangerous weapons roamed the streets.
According to a resident who spoke to Punch, 3 persons were injured during the attack.
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The hoodlums intended to scare people away from the venues of PVC collection.
Those injured in the fracas, were believed to have sustained the injuries when rival groups of hoodlums involved in the disruption clashed.
Confirming the development, Public Relations Officer of Civil Defence Corps, Osun State Command, Olabisi Atanda, said the hoodlums did not allow people to collect their PVCs and security men are on top of the situation.
She added that no arrest has been made but they are on the hunt for the hoodlums.
She said: “They (the hoodlums) ransacked (PVC collection centres) in Ilesa West and Ilesa West Central. They were in Ward 1, 3, 6 and 7.”
“The hoodlums didn’t let people obtain Permanent Voters’ Cards, but the police and the Civil Defence Corps operatives are on top of the situation.”
“I am not aware there was an attack on the PDP Secretariat in Ilesa West Local Government. No arrest yet but we are on the hunt for the hoodlums. Three people were injured but no death was recorded.”
Speaking on the incident, Osun INEC Public Relations, Seun Osimosu, said PVC collection was not suspended in the affected areas, but noted that the staff were withdrawn from the affected communities over safety concerns.
She added that the Commission would meet security agents in Ilesa West to address the situation.
