#OsunDecides2026: Anger In Ife As Policemen Fire Teargas At RAC Centre To Intimidate Voters

The Nigeria Police Force personnel have allegedly fired teargas at voters, election officials and other stakeholders gathered at a Registration Area Centre (RAC) in Ife East Local Government Area of Osun State, raising concerns over attempts to intimidate voters ahead of the ongoing election.

The incident occurred at Ward 10, Modakeke III, in Ife East Local Government Area, where voters and election personnel had gathered at the RAC centre to proceed to their respective polling units with election materials.

Sources who spoke with Sahara Reporters said the police action was intended to create fear and intimidate residents, preventing them from coming out to vote and monitor the electoral process.

According to one of the sources, the situation became tense after police officers  began firing teargas at people who had assembled at the centre.

“Current situation in Ife East Ward 10 (Modakeke Ward 3): The police have started firing tear gas at us at the RAC centre. We had already assembled and were fully prepared to move to our various polling units with the election materials alongside the INEC officials before this unfortunate incident occurred."

A video obtained by SaharaReporters also captured a woman shouting that police officers were tear-gassing them as the situation reportedly became chaotic at the centre.

Several police officers could be seen at the location in the video.

The source explained that the deployment and use of tear gas against people at the RAC centre was part of an attempt to intimidate voters and election monitors and discourage them from participating in the electoral process.

“They are using this to intimidate people and create fear so that people will not be able to come out and vote and monitor their votes,” the source said.

The development is particularly concerning because the RAC centre is where election officials and materials are assembled before being moved to the various polling units under the ward.