“Officer Attempting To Ease Himself Accidentally Discharged Tear Gas At Modakeke RAC” — Police Deny Plot To Disrupt Osun Election

The Osun State Police Command has clarified the circumstances surrounding a tear gas incident at a Registration Area Centre in Modakeke during Saturday’s governorship election, saying the canister was accidentally discharged by an officer who was attempting to ease himself.

The clarification followed reports and videos circulating on social media alleging that men dressed as police officers had stormed an election centre in Modakeke, fired tear gas and disrupted the distribution of election materials.

Some of the initial reports suggested that the incident was a deliberate attempt to disrupt the electoral process and prevent voters from exercising their franchise.

The police, however, rejected that account in a statement issued on Saturday, explaining that the incident occurred at the Registration Area Centre in Ward 10, Ife East Local Government Area, and not at a polling unit.

According to the command, a police officer deployed for election duty negligently discharged his tear gas canister while attempting to ease himself.

“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 police said.

The command described the conduct of the officer as “highly condemnable,” saying it fell below the professional standard expected of personnel of the Nigeria Police Force.

Police said the officer was immediately apprehended following the incident and had been taken into custody for investigation.

Serious drama this morning in Osun state as some men dressed as Police Officers Allegedly Storm Centre in Modakeke, Fire Tear Gas and Disrupt Distribution of Osun Election Materials pic.twitter.com/UkFeLHGWnK

— Oyindamola (@dammiedammie35) August 15, 2026

The command added that a thorough investigation had commenced to establish the complete circumstances surrounding the discharge and determine whether there was any other motive behind the incident.

It also dismissed allegations that officers had intentionally fired tear gas to prevent eligible voters from participating in the governorship election.

“For the avoidance of doubt, police officers on election duty are not permitted to bear arms within a specified radius of polling units. Claims that the incident was intended to prevent eligible voters from exercising their franchise are therefore false and misleading,” the command stated.

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

It assured the public that the officer involved would face appropriate disciplinary action in accordance with the regulations of the Nigeria Police Force if found culpable.

The command further reaffirmed its commitment to providing security throughout the Osun governorship election and ensuring that the exercise remained free, fair, credible, peaceful and inclusive.

The incident had earlier generated concern after videos and reports from Modakeke suggested that tear gas had been fired at a centre connected with the distribution of election materials, prompting speculation about possible interference with the electoral process.

Police have now maintained that the discharge was accidental and attributable to the negligence of an individual officer rather than an organised attempt by the force to disrupt the election.

Investigation into the incident remains ongoing.

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