THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Tuesday identified Gombe and Funakaye Local Government Areas of Gombe State as high-risk areas ahead of Saturday’s Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency by-election.
News Point Nigeria reports that the State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Umar-Mukhtar Gajiram, disclosed this on Tuesday while addressing members of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security in the state.
Gajiram also identified Kwami LGA as a security concern following recent attacks attributed to herders and its proximity to Borno State.
He said the commission’s electoral security risk assessment showed that “Gombe and Funakaye LGAs have been identified as areas of high electoral risk, particularly due to the activities of political thugs, popularly referred to as ‘Kalare boys’.”
According to him, the presence or activities of such groups could undermine the peaceful conduct of the election by intimidating voters, disrupting polling and interfering with election officials and materials.
He added, “Similarly, Kwami LGA presents its own security considerations. The area has recently witnessed attacks attributed to herders, while its proximity to Borno State also requires heightened vigilance, particularly in relation to the movement of persons and the possibility of insecurity spilling across territorial boundaries.”
The REC said the identification of the areas was not intended to stigmatise any community but to enable security agencies to identify vulnerabilities and deploy appropriate preventive measures.
He urged the security agencies to intensify intelligence gathering and information sharing, particularly on individuals or groups capable of disrupting the election.
Gajiram said, “I particularly appeal for close monitoring of the activities of political thugs and other groups capable of disrupting the peace, especially in identified high-risk locations.”
He, however, cautioned security agencies against arbitrary actions, stressing that their response must be lawful and evidence-based.
He said, “Our approach must remain lawful and evidence-based. Innocent citizens must not be harassed or prevented from exercising their rights on the basis of unsubstantiated allegations.”
According to INEC records, the Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency comprises three Local Government Areas, 31 Registration Areas and 903 Polling Units, with 495,851 registered voters.
Gajiram said the scale of the election required effective security planning, inter-agency coordination and timely deployment of personnel and resources.
He disclosed that INEC had received all non-sensitive materials required for the election, while training for Supervisory Presiding Officers had been concluded and that of Presiding Officers and Assistant Presiding Officers was ongoing.
The REC further urged security agencies to provide adequate protection for INEC personnel, electoral materials, polling units, registration areas, collation centres and other designated locations.
He said, “The safety of election officials is directly connected to the integrity of the election.”
Gajiram also stressed the need for security personnel to remain professional and impartial, saying their role was to protect the electoral process and citizens rather than any political party or candidate.
He said, “Our officers and men must be guided by the principle that security during elections is for the protection of the electoral process and the people, not for the advantage of any political party or candidate.”
The by-election is scheduled for Saturday, September 19, 2026.