Saturday’s Bye-Elections In Bauchi: Police Warn Against Vote Buying, Thuggery

The Bauchi State Police Command has announced the deployment of personnel and operational assets to Disina State Constituency in Shira Local Government Area and Sakwa State Constituency in Zaki local government area ahead of the bye-elections scheduled for Saturday, September 19, 2026.

The command said the security arrangements were aimed at ensuring a peaceful, credible and hitch-free electoral exercise before, during and after the polls.

Commissioner of Police, Bauchi State Command, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, ordered the massive deployment in collaboration with other sister security agencies under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).

In a statement issued on Thursday, the command’s spokesperson, SP Nafiu Habib, said vehicular movement and commercial activities would be restricted from 6:00am to 6:00pm on election day in the two affected constituencies.

He said the restriction would, however, not apply to persons on essential duties, officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), accredited election observers and emergency responders.

The command also directed that security aides attached to VIPs, political office holders and public officials must not accompany their principals to polling units or collation centres.

According to the statement, the use of sirens and covered number plates would also be prohibited throughout the election period.

The police further warned that state-owned security outfits, quasi-security agencies, private security guards and vigilante groups were not authorised to participate in providing security during the bye-elections.

It said only statutorily recognised security agencies operating under ICCES would be allowed to provide security coverage for the elections.

The command warned political parties, candidates and their supporters against vote-buying and vote-selling, hate speech, the circulation of fake news, thuggery, cyberbullying and other acts capable of disrupting the peace.

It added that anyone found in possession of dangerous weapons or other incriminating items at polling units would be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

CP Sani-Omolori assured residents of Disina and Sakwa constituencies of the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property while providing a level playing field for all political parties and candidates.

He reiterated that the Nigeria Police Force remained non-partisan and professional, adding that the command was committed to supporting credible elections and the deepening of democracy.

The commissioner also urged parents and guardians to caution their wards against allowing themselves to be used as political thugs, warning that the command would deal decisively with anyone or group that attempted to disrupt the electoral process.

He called on members of the public to remain law-abiding and promptly report suspicious activities to the nearest police station.