Osun Election: Officer attempting to ease himself accidentally discharged tear gas — Police clarify

The Osun State Police Command has arrested an officer who allegedly discharged tear gas at a Registration Area Centre (RAC) in Modakeke, Ife East Local Government Area, during the ongoing governorship election. The command, in a statement issued on Saturday, said the incident did not occur at a polling unit as earlier reported, but at the RAC where the officer was deployed. According to the command, the officer accidentally discharged the tear gas due to negligence while attempting to ease himself.

The command condemned the conduct, describing it as falling below the standard expected of personnel of the Nigeria Police Force. It said the officer had been immediately apprehended, while an investigation was underway to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine whether there were any other motives behind his action. “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 said. The police apologised to residents and election stakeholders who may have been affected by the incident, assuring them of its commitment to a peaceful and credible electoral process. It added that the officer would face appropriate disciplinary action in line with the regulations of the Force.

The command further assured voters and other participants in the election of adequate security, saying it remained committed to protecting the integrity of the electoral process. The post Tear gas discharge at Osun RAC: Police arrest officer appeared first on Vanguard News. The Osun State Police Command has clarified reports surrounding the firing of tear gas in Modakeke Ward 10, Ife East Local Government Area, saying the incident resulted from the negligence of an officer who was attempting to ease himself.

The command made the clarification in a statement posted on its X platform on Saturday, following reports and videos circulating on social media alleging that police officers fired tear gas at voters to disrupt voting. According to the command, the incident did not occur at any polling unit but at a Registration Area Centre (RAC), where an officer posted for election duty allegedly discharged his tear gas canister accidentally. “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 command said. The police described the officer’s conduct as “highly condemnable” and said it fell below the standard expected of personnel of the Nigeria Police Force. It said the officer had been immediately apprehended, while a thorough investigation was ongoing to establish the full circumstances of the incident and determine whether there were any other motives behind the action.