The police command in Bauchi State says it arrested about 47 suspects claiming to be state-owned security guards while armed with guns, cutlasses and sticks at polling units in the Disina area of the state.

In a statement on Saturday, Nafiu Habib, the command’s spokesman, said the command referred to its statement on Thursday on security arrangements for the by-elections in Disina, Shira and Sakwa state constituencies.

He said the command had unequivocally stated in the release that state-owned security outfits, quasi-security agencies, private security guards and vigilante groups were not allowed to participate in election security coverage, as only statutorily recognised security agencies under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) were mandated to provide security for the elections.

“Operatives of the command deployed for election duty today, 19th September, 2026, in Disina State Constituency, Shira LGA, arrested fourty seven (47) operatives, claiming to be state-owned security outfit who were found within polling units armed with guns, cutlasses and sticks, in contravention of the Electoral Act and the security directives earlier issued,” he said.

Mr Habib said the suspects were immediately taken into custody, adding that the exhibits, including firearms and other dangerous weapons, were recovered from them.

The Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, condemned in strong terms the blatant disregard for lawful directives and the attempt to undermine the electoral process.

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