The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested 47 people suspected of impersonating state-owned security operatives and carrying guns, cutlasses and sticks at polling units during the by-election in Disina State Constituency, Shira Local Government Area.
The suspects were detained as voting got underway on Saturday in the constituency. The arrests followed an earlier directive from the command that state-owned security outfits, vigilante groups, private security guards and other quasi-security agencies were barred from taking part in election security duties.
Only agencies recognised under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) were authorised to provide security.In a statement issued on Saturday, the command’s spokesman, SP Nafiu Habib, said police personnel deployed to polling units across Disina made the arrests.
The suspects, who allegedly claimed to belong to a state-owned security outfit, were found in possession of firearms and other dangerous weapons.
Guns, cutlasses and sticks were recovered from them, and the individuals were taken into custody.Commissioner of Police Sani-Omolori Aliyu ordered that the 47 suspects be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Bauchi for investigation and possible prosecution.
The command said the action formed part of efforts to enforce the security guidelines issued ahead of the by-elections in Disina and Sakwa state constituencies.
The commissioner also cautioned individuals and groups against any conduct that could disrupt the electoral process or breach the peace, and urged residents of Shira and Zaki local government areas to remain calm 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).
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