Bauchi Police: 47 Bauchi By-Election Security Impersonation Arrests

• 47 individuals were arrested by the Bauchi State Police Command for allegedly impersonating state security operatives during a by-election in Disina State Constituency.
• The suspects were apprehended at various polling units while reportedly in possession of guns, cutlasses, and sticks.
• Their actions violated the Electoral Act and specific pre-election security directives banning non-statutory security groups from election duties.
• The Commissioner of Police condemned the incident and ordered the transfer of the suspects to the State Criminal Investigation Department for investigation and prosecution.
• This enforcement action underscores the strict adherence to Nigeria's election security guidelines and the commitment to a peaceful electoral process.

This case serves as a precedent for the strict handling of security breaches during elections, emphasizing that impersonation and illegal possession of weapons at polling units will lead to prosecution under the Electoral Act.

The Bauchi State Police Command recently apprehended 47 individuals suspected of impersonating operatives of a state-owned security outfit during a by-election in the Disina State Constituency, located within the Shira Local Government Area of Bauchi State. These arrests were made on a Saturday at various polling units across the constituency, marking a significant enforcement action during the electoral process.

The suspects were reportedly found in possession of various dangerous items, including guns, cutlasses, and sticks. This discovery immediately placed their actions in direct contravention of both the standing Electoral Act and specific security directives that had been issued in anticipation of the election.

SP Nafiu Habib, the Police Public Relations Officer for the Bauchi State Police Command, confirmed these details in an official statement. Following their apprehension, all 47 individuals were promptly taken into custody, and the firearms and other dangerous weapons recovered from them were secured as evidence.

The arrests underscore the strict enforcement of election security guidelines in Nigeria. Prior to the bye-elections in both Disina and Sakwa State Constituencies, the Bauchi State Police Command had issued comprehensive security arrangements on Friday, September 18, 2026. These directives explicitly prohibited certain entities from participating in election security coverage.

Specifically, the command had declared that state-owned security outfits, quasi-security agencies, private security guards, and vigilante groups were not permitted to be involved in election security. The guidelines made it clear that only statutorily recognized security agencies, operating under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, were authorized to provide security for the electoral process.

Commissioner of Police Sani-Omolori Aliyu strongly condemned the actions of the arrested individuals, characterizing them as a "blatant disregard for lawful directives" and an attempt to "undermine the electoral process." He subsequently directed that all suspects be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Bauchi for a thorough and discreet investigation, with the ultimate goal of prosecution in accordance with the law.

This incident highlights the rigorous application of election security guidelines and the commitment of law enforcement agencies to maintaining the integrity of the electoral process in Nigeria. The Bauchi by-election security impersonation arrests serve as a clear message regarding the consequences of violating established protocols.

The police command reiterated its unwavering commitment to ensuring a peaceful, credible, and hitch-free by-election. They issued a stern warning that any person or group, regardless of their status, who attempts to disrupt the electoral process or cause a breach of peace, would be dealt with decisively.

This case serves as a precedent for the strict handling of security breaches during elections, emphasizing that impersonation and illegal possession of weapons at polling units will lead to prosecution under the Electoral Act. The authorities also called upon members of the public to remain law-abiding and to report any suspicious activities to ensure the safety and fairness of future elections.

This incident underscores the strict enforcement of election security regulations and the potential for prosecution under the Electoral Act for impersonation or illegal possession of weapons during elections. Lawyers advising political parties, candidates, or involved in election petition matters should note this precedent regarding the handling of security breaches and the prohibition of non-statutory security outfits at polling units.

Source: Original reporting via PUNCH