Police Arrest Osun Officer Over Tear Gas Incident

The Osun State Police Command arrested one of its officers after tear gas was accidentally released at a registration centre during Saturday’s governorship election. Videos circulating on social media captured…

The Osun State Police Command arrested one of its officers after tear gas was accidentally released at a registration centre during Saturday’s governorship election. Videos circulating on social media captured the incident at the Registration Area Centre in Modakeke Ward 10, Ife East Local Government Area, with angry residents confronting police and claiming the gas was used to stop voting.

Police disputed this account in a statement posted on X on Saturday. The command said the tear gas discharge happened at the registration centre, not at any polling unit, and resulted from an officer’s carelessness while relieving himself.

“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,” the statement read.

The command condemned the officer’s conduct as unacceptable for the Nigeria Police Force. It confirmed he’d been arrested and that investigators were looking into what happened.

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

Officials rejected suggestions that officers deliberately discharged the gas to intimidate voters or disrupt the election process. They stressed that police deployed at polling stations are prohibited from carrying firearms or tactical gear within the designated voting areas.

The incident sparked widespread concern about election security and police conduct during the voting exercise. Social media users shared videos questioning the circumstances surrounding the tear gas release.

The police command’s clarification attempted to separate the incident from claims of voter intimidation. Authorities maintained that their personnel maintained professional standards throughout the election day activities.

COURTESY: advocate.ng