Police deploy personnel, restrict movement ahead of Gombe by-election

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The Gombe State Police Command has announced the deployment of personnel and operational assets across the Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency ahead of Saturday’s by-election.

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The election, scheduled by the Independent National Electoral Commission for September 19, 2026, will be conducted across Gombe, Kwami and Funakaye Local Government Areas.

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The command, in collaboration with members of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, said the deployment was aimed at ensuring adequate security before, during and after the election.

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In a statement issued on Friday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Buhari Abdullahi, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, CP Umar Ahmed Chuso, the command said personnel had been deployed to INEC offices, collation centres, polling units and other strategic locations across the affected areas.

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The statement said the Commissioner of Police had ordered “adequate deployment of personnel and operational assets” to ensure comprehensive security coverage for the electoral exercise.

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The command announced a restriction of movement and closure of commercial activities in Gombe, Kwami and Funakaye LGAs from 6am to 6pm on Saturday, except for essential services.

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It, however, warned that persons engaged in essential services would not be permitted to use sirens, unregistered vehicles or vehicles with covered number plates.

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The police further stated that only statutory security agencies operating under ICCES would be authorised to provide security coverage during the election.

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“State-owned security outfits, quasi-security organisations, private security guards and vigilante groups are excluded from the exercise,” the command said.

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The police warned political actors and members of the public against the circulation of fake news, political thuggery and other acts capable of causing a breach of the peace.

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It also warned against the brandishing of weapons or possession of incriminating items at polling units.

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The command appealed to parents and guardians to caution their wards against allowing themselves to be used as political thugs.

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“Any person found engaging in such act capable of undermining the peaceful conduct of the election will be arrested and prosecuted accordingly,” the statement warned.

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The police urged residents of the affected local government areas to cooperate with security agencies and report suspicious activities to the nearest police station.

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