Gombe By-Election: Police announce security measures

The Gombe State Police Command has announced security arrangements for Saturday’s by-election into the Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency, assuring residents of security before, during and after the exercise.

The by-election, scheduled by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for September 19, 2026, will be conducted across Gombe, Kwami and Funakaye Local Government Areas.

The Commissioner of Police, Gombe State Command, CP Umar Ahmed Chuso, directed the deployment of personnel to INEC offices, polling units, collation centres and other strategic locations as part of measures to support the peaceful conduct of the election.

In a statement issued on Friday in Gombe, the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Buhari Abdullahi, said the deployment was being carried out in collaboration with other members of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).

According to the statement, the joint security operation is aimed at providing adequate coverage and maintaining law and order before, during and after the election.

The Command announced a restriction on vehicular movement and the closure of commercial activities across the three affected LGAs from 6:00am to 6:00pm on Saturday, except for essential services.

It, however, said personnel and individuals engaged in essential services must not use sirens, unregistered vehicles or vehicles bearing covered number plates.

The Police also stated that only statutory security agencies operating under the ICCES framework would be authorised to provide security during the election.

It said state-owned security outfits, quasi-security organisations, private security guards and vigilante groups were excluded from election security operations.

The Command urged political actors and members of the public to avoid the spread of false information, political thuggery, the display of weapons and the possession of prohibited or incriminating items at polling units.

It also advised parents and guardians to caution their wards against being recruited or used for activities that could disrupt the election.

The Police said anyone found engaging in activities capable of undermining the peaceful conduct of the election would be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

The Command appealed to residents of the three LGAs to cooperate with security agencies and promptly report suspicious movements or activities to the nearest police station.

Members of the public may also contact the Command through its emergency lines: 0815 056 7771 and 0903 643 5359.