SOJWORLDNEWS| Sowore police tear-gassing Osogbo OSUN STATE
Sowore police tear-gassing Osogbo — Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore has accused the Nigeria Police Force of tear-gassing his team while they travelled to Osogbo, Osun State.
Sowore made the allegation in a post on X on Wednesday, August 12, 2026. He said police officers assigned to monitor the Osun State gubernatorial election confronted his team on their way into Osogbo.
According to Sowore, the encounter initially remained peaceful. In fact, he said both sides held a respectful conversation before his team continued its journey.
However, he alleged that the officers later fired tear gas at them without warning. Consequently, the incident disrupted their journey but did not stop them from moving forward.
“Despite our having a respectful and peaceful conversation with them, they secretly fired tear gas at us as we continued on our journey,” Sowore said.
Nevertheless, Sowore said his team refused to turn back. Instead, they continued their journey and eventually reached Osogbo.
“But their intimidation failed. We pushed through, arrived in Oshogbo, and triumphed,” he added.
Furthermore, Sowore criticised the police over their alleged conduct. He argued that security officers should protect citizens rather than attack peaceful political actors.
“The police should be protecting citizens and safeguarding the democratic process, not attacking peaceful political actors,” he said.
He then strongly condemned the Nigeria Police Force over the alleged incident.
“Shame on the Nigeria Police Force!” Sowore wrote.
Meanwhile, the allegation comes as security agencies continue to play an important role in political activities across Osun State. Police officers often provide security at political events and election-related activities.
However, concerns about police conduct during political gatherings have continued to attract public attention. In particular, critics argue that security personnel must maintain public order while respecting citizens’ rights.
Similarly, Sowore has previously criticised security agencies over their handling of protests. In June 2026, reports said security operatives used tear gas during a Democracy Day protest in Abuja.
As a result, the latest allegation has renewed the debate over police conduct during political activities and public demonstrations.
For now, however, Sowore has provided his account of the incident. On the other hand, the Nigeria Police Force has yet to publicly respond to his specific allegation that officers fired tear gas at his team.
Moreover, the reason for the alleged use of tear gas remains unclear. It is also unclear whether the officers identified any specific security threat before they allegedly deployed the gas.
Nevertheless, the allegation has raised fresh questions about the relationship between security agencies and political actors. It has also renewed calls for security agencies to maintain neutrality during electoral activities.
In addition, the incident highlights the need for security personnel to protect citizens while allowing political actors to exercise their lawful rights.
Despite the alleged confrontation, Sowore said his team reached Osogbo. He described their arrival as a victory despite what he called police intimidation.
Meanwhile, Sowore has continued to criticise government policies and the actions of security agencies. Therefore, his latest allegation could attract further reactions from political groups, civil society organisations and members of the public.
Ultimately, an official response from the Nigeria Police Force could provide more information about the incident. Such a response could clarify what happened between the officers and Sowore’s team before the alleged tear-gas attack.
Men and women of the Nigeria Police Force
@PoliceNG
deployed to monitor the Osun Stage gubernatorial election somehow found time to attack us on our way into Oshogbo today.Despite our having a respectful and peaceful conversation with them, they secretly fired tear gas at us as we continued on our journey.
But their intimidation failed. We pushed through, arrived in Oshogbo, and triumphed.
The police should be protecting citizens and safeguarding the democratic process, not attacking peaceful political actors.
Shame on the Nigeria Police Force!
pic.twitter.com/QGY9yDUNy6— Omoyele Sowore
August 12, 2026
Leave a Reply