Police Arrest 47 Allegedly Impersonating Security Operatives During Bauchi Bye-Election

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested 47 people allegedly impersonating members of a state owned security outfit during the by election in Disina State Constituency, Shira Local Government Area.

The suspects were arrested at different polling units on Saturday while allegedly carrying firearms, cutlasses and sticks, contrary to electoral laws and security directives issued ahead of the election.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, said the suspects were taken into custody and firearms and other dangerous weapons were recovered from them.

According to the command, Commissioner of Police Sani Omolori Aliyu condemned the alleged violation of security directives and directed that the suspects be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation and prosecution.

The police had earlier warned that state owned security outfits, vigilante groups, private security guards and other quasi security agencies were not authorised to participate in election security operations, which were restricted to statutorily recognised security agencies under the Inter Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security.

The command urged residents to remain law abiding and report suspicious activities to security authorities, assuring the public of continued efforts to maintain peace and security during the electoral process.