The Osun State Police Command has arrested an officer captured on video discharging tear gas during Saturday’s governorship election in Modakeke, Ife East Local Government Area of the state.

A viral video circulating on social media showed the officer releasing tear gas, while a narrator speaking in Yoruba alleged that police had fired the canister at a polling unit without provocation.

However, in a statement issued on X, the police command clarified that the incident occurred at a Registration Area Centre (RAC), not a polling unit.

According to the command, the officer was deployed to the RAC and accidentally discharged the tear gas due to negligence while attempting to ease himself.

“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 said.

The command described the officer’s conduct as “highly condemnable” and said it fell below the standard expected of personnel of the Nigeria Police Force.

It added that 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 the action.

The police also reiterated that officers deployed for election duty are not permitted to carry arms within a specified radius of polling units.

The command dismissed claims that the incident was intended to prevent eligible voters from exercising their franchise as “false and misleading.”

It apologised to residents and election stakeholders who were affected or inconvenienced by the incident.

The police said the officer would face appropriate disciplinary action in line with the regulations of the Nigeria Police Force.