The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested 47 persons allegedly posing as state-owned security operatives and carrying firearms and other dangerous weapons at polling units during the ongoing by-election in Disina State Constituency, Shira Local Government Area.
The suspects were arrested by police personnel deployed to polling units across the constituency after voting commenced on Saturday.
According to the command, the suspects allegedly claimed to be members of a state-owned security outfit despite an earlier directive prohibiting vigilante groups, private security guards, state-owned security outfits and other quasi-security agencies from participating in the election security operation.
The command had stated that only security agencies recognised under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security were authorised to provide security during the by-election.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the command’s spokesperson, SP Nafiu Habib, said the 47 suspects were arrested with guns, cutlasses and sticks.
He said the suspects were taken into custody after the weapons were recovered from them.
The Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, ordered that the suspects be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Bauchi, for investigation and prosecution.
The command said the arrests were part of efforts to enforce security guidelines issued ahead of the by-elections in Disina and Sakwa state constituencies.
Aliyu also warned individuals and groups against actions capable of disrupting the electoral process or causing a breach of the peace.
The police urged residents of Shira and Zaki LGAs to remain peaceful and report suspicious activities to security personnel.
The Independent National Electoral Commission is conducting the by-elections in Disina State Constituency, Shira LGA, and Sakwa State Constituency, Zaki LGA, on Saturday.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
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