Osun Police Arrest Officer Over Accidental Tear Gas Discharge

The Osun State Police Command arrested a police officer on Saturday, August 15, 2026, following the accidental discharge of a tear gas canister at a Registration Area Centre in Modakeke, an incident that sparked viral social media videos and concern about electoral interference during the state's governorship election. Officials clarified the discharge was not an intentional act to disrupt voting.

The incident occurred in the morning at a Registration Area Centre in Ward 10, Ife East Local Government Area, not at a polling unit where citizens cast ballots. According to the police command, an officer deployed for election duty negligently released the tear gas while attempting to relieve himself. The command described the officer's conduct as "highly condemnable" and said it fell "far below the standard expected of an officer of the Nigeria Police Force."

Videos circulated on social media depicted tense scenes in Modakeke, with residents confronting officers and accusing them of firing tear gas to prevent people from voting. The police directly rebutted these claims, emphasizing the distinction between a Registration Area Centre, used for administrative purposes, and a polling...