Police Arrest Officer For Discharging Tear Gas During Osun Election

The Osun State Police Command has arrested an officer who was caugyon camera releasing tear gas during Saturday’s governorship election.

The incident happened at a Registration Area Centre (RAC) in Modakeke, Ife East Local Government Area.

A video shared widely on social media showed a person speaking in Yoruba and claiming that police officers had used tear gas at a polling unit without any reason.

Reacting in a statement on X, the Osun police comman said the incident did not happen at a polling unit.

According to the command, it occurred at an RAC where the officer had been deployed for election duty.

The police said the officer accidentally released the tear gas while trying to ease himself.

“The attention of the Osun State Police Command has been drawn to reports and videos circulating on social media concerning an incident alleged to have occurred in Modakeke Ward 10, Ife East Local Government Area where an officer posted to Registration Area Centre (RAC) accidentally discharged his tear gas,” the statement reads.

“The Command wishes to clarify that the incident did not take place at any polling unit. It occurred at the Registration Area Centre (RAC) and was the result of negligence on the part of an officer who was attempting to ease himself.

“This conduct is highly condemnable and falls far below the standard expected of an officer of the Nigeria Police Force.

“The officer involved has been immediately apprehended. A thorough investigation is ongoing to determine the full circumstances of the incident and to establish whether there were any other motives behind the action.”

The police also stated that officers deployed for election duties are not allowed to carry firearms within a designated distance of polling units.

The command rejected claims that the tear gas incident was deliberately intended to stop voters from exercising their right to vote, describing such claims as false and misleading.

The police apologised to voters, election officials and other stakeholders who may have been affected by the incident.

“The officer concerned will face appropriate disciplinary action in line with the Force’s regulations,” the police said.

ALSO READ: Osun Election: Violence Forces Voters And INEC Officials To Flee Polling Unit In Ejigbo LGA