By: Monday Danladi, Bauchi
Bauchi State Government has condemned in strong terms, Police arrest of 47 vigilantes who were on lawful duties during the last Saturday State Constituency bye-elections held in Disina, Shira LGA.
The Government described the arrest by security operatives as wrongful and politically motivated application of the Rule of Law against lawfully assigned Community Vigilantes.
The Government therefore expressed deep concern and strong condemnation over the arrest of the Forty-seven members of the Community Vigilante Organisation in Shira during the Disina State Constituency by-election held on Saturday, 19 September 2026.
It stated that, “The sudden arrest and prolonged detention of the 47 vigilante members represent a serious and dangerous disruption to the State’s security architecture. For years, this network has contributed significantly to Bauchi State’s reputation as a peaceful and secure state, particularly within the North-East region.”
It added that,”Removing members of this localised security structure from their communities creates an immediate security concern.”
It stated that the persons arrested are accredited members of community vigilante structures who have offered themselves for community service and have been involved in maintaining peace, security and public order in their respective communities long before the conduct of the by-election.
According to the Government, “There was no established evidence, in the Government’s account, that the arrested persons interfered with electoral materials or the electoral process. Their presence was connected with their traditional community-security responsibilities and their desire to contribute to the peaceful conduct of activities within their communities.”
The Government stressed that it is concerned that the arrests were carried out on the basis of allegations associated with election security without, as it understands the circumstances, evidence demonstrating that the individuals had tampered with electoral materials, disrupted voting or otherwise interfered with the lawful conduct of the election.
“Upon their arrest, the affected individuals reportedly maintained that they were peace agents duly recognised and accredited, whose responsibility was to protect lives and property and assist in maintaining peaceful communities rather than interfere with the electoral process,” it maintained.
The Government added that,”It is a longstanding practice for governments, during periods of heightened public activity, to deploy or engage recognised security, paramilitary, community and other civil structures in support of peaceful public conduct.”
While the Bauchi State Government fully recognised the constitutional and statutory responsibilities of the Nigeria Police Force and other authorised security agencies in safeguarding elections, the Government equally expects the rule of law to be applied fairly, objectively and without political considerations.
It then declared, “It is therefore disheartening that the Bauchi State Police Command, in the Government’s view, appears to have allowed itself to be influenced by what the Government considers attempts by sections of the opposition to politically blackmail and criminalise members of a civil organisation who have historically offered themselves for community service.”
The Government also stressed that community volunteers should not be subjected to political victimisation merely because of their status or lawful community responsibilities.
According to it, “Any allegation of criminal conduct should be established through transparent investigation and due process, with each individual treated according to the evidence available against him.”
The Government stressed further that, “The relatively secure and peaceful environment that has prevailed in Bauchi State is largely attributed to the relentless efforts of these local vigilantes. By bringing their intimate and invaluable knowledge of their native terrain to bear on the State’s broader security strategy, they have consistently served as an important support to the fight against criminality.”
It added that,”Removing 47 active and dedicated volunteers from the frontline could create avoidable security challenges and provide opportunities for criminal elements to operate with reduced community-level monitoring.”
The Bauchi State Government therefore called for the immediate and unconditional release of the 47 non-partisan community volunteers arrested over allegations of election-related violence, where no individualised evidence of criminal conduct has been established against them.
The Government further calld on the relevant security authorities to review the circumstances of the arrests objectively and ensure that the fundamental rights of the affected citizens are protected.
The Bauchi State Government then assured that it remains committed to peaceful democratic participation, the rule of law, the protection of citizens’ rights and the maintenance of public order, as contained in a statement signed by Dr. Usman Usman Shehu, Commissioner, Ministry of Information and Communication
Bauchi State, made available to Journalists on Thursday.
