Bauchi By-Election: Police Arrest 47 for Allegedly Impersonating State Security

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested 47 people who allegedly presented themselves as operatives of a state-owned security outfit during the by-election in Disina State Constituency, Shira Local Government Area. The arrests were made on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at various polling units across the constituency by police personnel deployed for election security. According to the command, the individuals were found carrying prohibited items and were allegedly acting in violation of electoral laws and security directives issued ahead of the exercise.

Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, said the suspects claimed to be members of a state-owned security organisation despite an earlier directive prohibiting such groups from participating in election security coverage. The police said only statutorily recognised security agencies operating under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security were authorised to provide security during the elections. The command had communicated the restriction before the by-election as part of its arrangements for maintaining security at polling locations.

The police said the 47 suspects were taken into custody after being identified at polling units, and items recovered from them were retained as exhibits as part of the investigation. The command said the suspects were subsequently transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Bauchi for further investigation and possible prosecution in accordance with the law. The authorities said the investigation would establish the circumstances surrounding their presence at the polling units and their alleged involvement in election security activities.

The Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, condemned what the command described as a disregard for lawful election-security directives and an attempt to interfere with the electoral process. He directed investigators to handle the matter and ensure that appropriate legal procedures were followed. The police also reiterated their commitment to maintaining a peaceful and orderly environment during the by-election and warned that anyone attempting to disrupt the exercise would face action under the law.

The arrests came as authorities worked to maintain security during the Bauchi by-election. The police urged residents and voters to remain law-abiding and report suspicious activities to security agencies. The allegations against the 47 suspects remain subject to investigation and, where applicable, judicial proceedings; their arrest does not by itself establish criminal guilt.