The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested 47 persons allegedly posing as operatives of a state-owned security outfit during the bye-election in Disina State Constituency, Shira Local Government Area.
The suspects were arrested on Saturday, September 19, 2026, while voters were casting their ballots to elect a representative for the constituency.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, the command said its personnel deployed for election security apprehended the suspects after they were found at polling units in possession of guns, cutlasses and sticks.
According to the police, the arrests followed an earlier directive prohibiting state-owned security outfits, quasi-security agencies, private security guards and vigilante groups from participating in election security operations.
The command said only security agencies recognised under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) were authorised to provide security coverage for the bye-elections.
The police had issued the warning in a statement dated September 17, 2026, outlining security arrangements for the bye-elections in Disina State Constituency in Shira LGA and Sakwa State Constituency in Zaki LGA.
Despite the directive, the command said 47 persons claiming to belong to a state-owned security outfit were discovered at polling units in Disina carrying firearms and other dangerous weapons.
The suspects were subsequently taken into custody, while the weapons were recovered, the police said.
The Commissioner of Police, Bauchi State Command, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, condemned the alleged violation of the directive, describing it as a disregard for lawful instructions and an attempt to undermine the electoral process.
He ordered the suspects to be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Bauchi for discreet investigation and prosecution in accordance with the law.
The command reiterated its commitment to maintaining a peaceful and orderly electoral process across the affected constituencies.
It also warned that anyone found attempting to disrupt the election or cause a breach of peace would face legal action.
The police urged residents to remain law-abiding and report suspicious activities to the relevant security authorities.
