The Independent National Electoral Commission has identified Gombe and Funakaye Local Government Areas of Gombe State as high-risk locations ahead of Saturday’s by-election in the Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency.
The State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Umar-Mukhtar Gajiram, disclosed this on Tuesday during a meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security in the state.
Gajiram said the commission’s security assessment also placed Kwami Local Government Area under close security watch following recent attacks reportedly linked to herders and its proximity to Borno State.
He explained that Gombe and Funakaye were considered particularly vulnerable because of the activities of political thugs, popularly known as ‘Kalare boys’.
According to him, such groups could intimidate voters, disrupt voting and interfere with electoral officials and materials.
The REC 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.”
Gajiram stressed that the classification was not intended to stigmatise the affected communities but to help security agencies identify possible threats and take preventive measures.
He also urged security personnel to operate within the law and avoid harassing innocent residents based on unverified allegations.
“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,” he said.
The INEC official further called for increased intelligence gathering and information sharing among security agencies ahead of the election.
He said security personnel must remain neutral and focus on protecting voters and the electoral process rather than supporting any candidate or political party.
“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,” Gajiram said.
The Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency consists of three Local Government Areas, 31 Registration Areas and 903 Polling Units, with 495,851 registered voters.
Gajiram said INEC had received all non-sensitive election materials, while training for Supervisory Presiding Officers had been completed and that of Presiding Officers and Assistant Presiding Officers was ongoing.
He also appealed to security agencies to ensure adequate protection for electoral officials, materials, polling units, collation centres and other designated election locations.
The by-election is scheduled to hold on Saturday, September 19, 2026.
