Osun Election 2026 Update: Police Arrest Officer Who Scared Voters with Tear Gas at Modakeke
- • The Osun State Police Command arrested an officer caught on video discharging tear gas during Saturday's governorship election in Modakeke
- • The incident happened at a Registration Area Centre in Ward 10, Ife East LGA, not at a polling unit as social media posts claimed
- • The police command described the officer's conduct as highly condemnable and said an investigation had begun to establish the full circumstances
PAY ATTENTION: Find it fast with our new search feature at Legit.ng!
Modakeke, Osun state - The Osun State Police Command has arrested a police officer filmed discharging tear gas during Saturday's governorship election in Modakeke, Ife East Local Government Area of the state.
According to the command, the officer was on duty at a Registration Area Centre (RAC) in Modakeke Ward 10 when the incident took place. This contradicts widespread claims on social media that the tear gas was fired directly at voters at a polling unit, Daily Trust reported.
Source: Getty Images
A video that circulated online showed an officer releasing a tear gas canister, with a narrator speaking in Yoruba alleging that police had attacked voters without any cause.
Police Say Discharge Was Accidental
In its response, the Osun State Police Command said the officer discharged the tear gas while attempting to ease himself, describing the release as accidental.
"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 command said.
The command called the officer's conduct "highly condemnable" and said it fell below the standard expected of Nigeria Police Force personnel. The officer was apprehended immediately after the incident, and the command said a thorough investigation had been launched to determine the full circumstances and whether any other motives were involved.
Command Dismisses Voter Suppression Claims
The police also used the opportunity to address claims that the tear gas was fired deliberately to stop eligible voters from casting their ballots. The command dismissed those claims as "false and misleading," stressing that officers on election duty are barred from carrying arms within a defined radius of polling units.
An apology was extended to members of the public and election stakeholders who may have been disturbed or inconvenienced by the incident. The command added that the arrested officer would face disciplinary action in line with Nigeria Police Force regulations.
Osun 2026: List of 3 major contenders
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Osun State is heading into its most watched political contest in years, with 14 candidates on the ballot for the governorship election set for Saturday, August 15, 2026.
While the field is broad, three candidates have emerged as the most prominent contenders: incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Najeem Salam of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Source: Legit.ng
