The Osun State Police Command has detained an officer over the tear gas incident that triggered panic in Modakeke, Ife East Local Government Area, during Saturday’s governorship election and said the discharge resulted from the officer’s negligence rather than an attempt to disrupt voting.
The Command said the incident occurred at the Registration Area Centre (RAC) for Modakeke Ward 10, not at a polling unit, a counter to social media claims that policemen deliberately fired tear gas at voters to scare them away from the electoral process.
The clarification followed the circulation of video footage showing residents fleeing an area where armed police officers were present. A woman behind the camera, speaking in Yoruba, accused the officers of releasing tear gas after election materials had arrived and alleged that electoral personnel fled with the materials.
In a statement issued on Saturday, however, the police attributed the discharge to what it called personal negligence by one of the officers.
“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.
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The Command said the officer was immediately taken into custody and that disciplinary proceedings had commenced over the incident.
It described the conduct as unacceptable and said investigators were examining the circumstances surrounding the discharge, including whether any other motive was involved.
“This conduct is highly condemnable and falls far below the standard expected of an officer of the Nigeria Police Force,” the statement added.
The police also rejected claims circulating online that the tear gas was deliberately deployed to frighten voters or interfere with the election.
The Command explained that security personnel assigned to polling units are not permitted to carry firearms or tactical equipment within the designated radius of voting points. It reaffirmed that electoral security operations were subject to established protocols.
The incident had initially generated concern after footage from the area showed members of the public moving hurriedly across an open space while police officers confronted people nearby.
The police apologised to residents and election observers affected by the episode and promised to enforce disciplinary action in line with Force regulations.
The Command said it would continue to provide security for voters, electoral officials, and other participants throughout the voting and collation stages of the Osun governorship election.
