By Christopher Ameh, Bauchi
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.
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.
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.
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.
He said despite the directive, the 47 suspects were found at various polling units in Disina Constituency with firearms and other dangerous weapons.
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.
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.
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.
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.
It also urged residents to remain law-abiding and promptly report suspicious activities to the Police.
Vanguard News
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