The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested 47 persons allegedly posing as state-owned security operatives during the ongoing by-election in Disina State Constituency, Shira Local Government Area of the state.
The suspects were arrested on Saturday by police officers deployed to polling units across the constituency after they were allegedly found carrying firearms, cutlasses, sticks and other dangerous weapons.
Police spokesperson, SP Nafiu Habib, said the arrests followed an earlier directive by the command prohibiting state-owned security outfits, vigilante groups, private security guards and other quasi-security agencies from participating in election security operations.
According to the command, only statutorily recognised security agencies operating under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) were authorised to provide security during the by-election.
Habib said the suspects claimed to belong to a state-owned security outfit but were found inside polling units in violation of the Electoral Act and the security guidelines issued ahead of the election. The recovered weapons were taken as exhibits, while the suspects were placed in custody.
The Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, condemned the alleged violation of the directive and directed that the suspects be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Bauchi, for discreet investigation and prosecution.
The command also warned individuals and groups against actions capable of disrupting the electoral process or causing a breach of the peace, urging residents to remain law-abiding and report suspicious activities to security personnel.
The by-elections are being conducted in Disina State Constituency of Shira LGA and Sakwa State Constituency of Zaki LGA.
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