The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested 47 persons accused of posing as state-owned security operatives during the bye-election in Disina State Constituency, Shira Local Government Area.
The suspects were reportedly found at different polling units with firearms, cutlasses, sticks and other dangerous weapons.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, disclosed the arrests in a statement issued on Saturday.According to Habib, the suspects were apprehended by police officers deployed to provide security for the election.
He said the arrests followed an earlier directive by the command warning that state-owned security outfits, quasi-security agencies, private security guards and vigilante groups were not authorised to participate in election security operations.
The police spokesperson explained that only security agencies recognised under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, ICCES, were permitted to provide security during the bye-elections in Disina State Constituency and Sakwa State Constituency in Zaki Local Government Area.Despite the warning, Habib said the 47 suspects were allegedly found at various polling units in Disina Constituency carrying firearms and other dangerous weapons.He added that the suspects had been taken into custody, while the recovered firearms, cutlasses, sticks and other items were retained as exhibits.The Commissioner of Police in Bauchi State, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, condemned the alleged violation of the police directive, saying such actions could undermine the electoral process.Aliyu ordered the suspects to be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Bauchi for discreet investigation and prosecution in accordance with the law.The Bauchi Police Command also reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining peace and security throughout the electoral process.The command warned individuals and groups against actions capable of disrupting the election or causing a breach of public peace.It further urged residents to remain law-abiding and report suspicious activities to the police.
