The Bauchi State Police Command says it has arrested 47 people claiming to be members of a state-owned security outfit after they were found at polling units in Disina State Constituency, Shira Local Government Area, carrying guns, cutlasses and sticks.
The arrests were made on Saturday, September 19, 2026, during the by-election in the constituency, according to a statement issued by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib.
The command said its operatives deployed for election duty arrested the suspects despite an earlier warning that state-owned security outfits and other unauthorised groups were not permitted to participate in election security.
It said it had issued a statement on September 17 outlining security arrangements for the by-elections in Disina State Constituency, Shira LGA, and Sakwa State Constituency, Zaki LGA.
The police said only statutorily recognised security agencies under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security were authorised to provide security during the elections.
“In the said release, the Command unequivocally stated that state-owned security outfits, quasi-security agencies, private security guards and vigilante groups are not allowed to participate in election security coverage, as only statutorily recognised security agencies under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) are mandated to provide security for the elections,” it stated.
The command said the suspects were arrested for allegedly violating the Electoral Act and security directives issued ahead of the elections.
“The suspects were immediately taken into custody. The exhibits, including firearms and other dangerous weapons, were recovered from them,” the statement added.
The Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, condemned the incident and directed that the suspects be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Bauchi, for investigation and prosecution.
The statement quoted the commissioner as strongly condemning “this blatant disregard for lawful directives and attempt to undermine the electoral process”.
The command reiterated its commitment to ensuring a peaceful, credible and hitch-free by-election. It warned that anyone or group attempting to disrupt the electoral process or cause a breach of peace would be dealt with decisively.
It also urged members of the public to remain law-abiding and report suspicious activities to the police.