Police nab 47 ‘security operatives’ at Bauchi polling units

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The suspects and their weapons.

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By Christopher Ameh, Bauchi

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The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested 47 persons allegedly posing as state-owned security operatives and carrying guns, cutlasses and sticks at polling units during the bye-election in Disina State Constituency, Shira Local Government Area.

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The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, saying the suspects were arrested by police operatives deployed to provide security during the election.

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According to him, the arrests followed an earlier warning by the command that state-owned security outfits, quasi-security agencies, private security guards and vigilante groups were not authorised to participate in election security operations.

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Habib said 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.

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He said despite the directive, the 47 suspects were found at various polling units in Disina Constituency with firearms and other dangerous weapons.

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The police spokesperson added that the suspects were taken into custody, while the firearms, cutlasses, sticks and other items recovered from them were kept as exhibits.

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The Commissioner of Police, Bauchi State Command, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, condemned the alleged violation of lawful directives, describing it as an attempt to undermine the electoral process.

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He directed that the suspects be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Bauchi for discreet investigation and prosecution in accordance with the law.

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The command reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining peace and security throughout the electoral process, and warned individuals or groups against actions capable of disrupting the election or causing a breach of public peace.

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It also urged residents to remain law-abiding and promptly report suspicious activities to the Police.

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