Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Bauchi State Police Command has announced a major security deployment across the state ahead of Monday's local government elections, assuring residents of adequate protection before, during and after the polls while issuing a stern warning to politicians and their supporters against violence, thuggery and vote buying. The Commissioner of Police, Sani‑Omolori Aliyu, said the command had put in place comprehensive security arrangements to ensure a peaceful, credible and hitch‑free election across all 20 local government areas of the state.
In a statement issued on Saturday, August 15, 2026, the command's Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, disclosed that personnel had been strategically deployed across the state to reinforce security and guarantee the safety of lives, property and electoral materials. "As part of the preparations, the command has strategically deployed personnel across the state to reinforce security and guarantee the safety of lives, property and electoral materials before, during and after the elections," Habib said.
The police warning to political actors and residents was unambiguous. The command declared that any act of electoral violence, ballot box snatching, thuggery, vote buying and selling, intimidation of voters, or any attempt to disrupt the electoral process would be met with the full weight of the law. "Perpetrators, sponsors and their accomplices, irrespective of status or affiliation, will be arrested and prosecuted accordingly," the statement read. Aliyu also charged officers and other security personnel deployed for the exercise to remain neutral, professional and law‑abiding in the discharge of their duties, and to respect the rights of citizens while operating strictly within the provisions of the law.
The security beef‑up comes as the Bauchi State Independent Electoral Commission (BASIEC) completes the distribution of sensitive electoral materials ahead of the polls. BASIEC chairperson, Hajiya Jummai Salamatu Abubakar, said all necessary arrangements had been concluded for the conduct of the elections, with 15 political parties indicating their readiness to participate. She confirmed that chairmanship elections would be conducted in 19 of the state's 20 local government areas, while councillorship elections would be held in all 20 local government areas. No chairmanship election would be held in Shira Local Government Area because the position had already been filled through an earlier by‑election.
Abubakar urged residents to come out en masse to vote for candidates of their choice, stating that the election would take place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, August 17. She reaffirmed the commission's commitment to conducting the elections in accordance with its constitutional mandate and assured that sensitive materials would be transported to designated local government areas under tight security escort to ensure their safety.
The Inter‑Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has expressed confidence in the electoral process, with its Secretary, Khalid Arewa, stating that participating political parties were satisfied with the preparations so far. "We have full confidence that, Insha Allah, this election will be credible, rancour‑free, fair and just," he said.
Governor Bala Mohammed has declared Monday, August 17, a work‑free day across the state to enable civil servants and other public servants to participate fully in the elections. The governor urged citizens to cooperate with security agencies and electoral officials in the discharge of their responsibilities.
As Bauchi State prepares for the local government elections, the police command has reassured residents of a safe and secure environment to exercise their franchise. Citizens are encouraged to come out en masse to vote and to promptly report any suspicious activity to the nearest police station or through the command's emergency lines. The message from the police is clear: the era of impunity for electoral offenders in Bauchi is over, and those who attempt to disrupt the democratic process will face the consequences.
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