The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has identified Gombe and Funakaye Local Government Areas as high-risk locations ahead of Saturday’s by-election in the Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency.
The commission also placed Kwami LGA under heightened security monitoring, citing recent attacks in the area and its proximity to Borno State.
The warning was issued on Tuesday by the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Umar-Mukhtar Gajiram, during a meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security in Gombe State.
According to Gajiram, INEC’s security assessment indicates that political thugs, popularly known as ‘Kalare boys’, could pose a threat to the conduct of the election in Gombe and Funakaye.
“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’,” the REC said.
Gajiram warned that the activities of political thugs could go beyond intimidation, potentially affecting voters, electoral officials and election materials.
He said the groups could attempt to disrupt polling activities or interfere with the electoral process if not adequately monitored.
Kwami, he explained, presents a different set of security concerns.
“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,” he said.
Despite the classification, the REC stressed that identifying the three areas for enhanced security attention should not be interpreted as labelling their communities as inherently dangerous.
Rather, he said the assessment was intended to give security agencies sufficient information to identify potential threats and prevent them from affecting the election.
Gajiram called for stronger intelligence gathering and closer information sharing among security agencies ahead of Saturday’s poll.
He specifically urged security personnel to monitor individuals and groups capable of disrupting the peace, particularly in areas already identified as vulnerable.
“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 said.
At the same time, the REC cautioned against indiscriminate arrests or harassment of citizens in the name of election security.
He insisted that security interventions must be guided by the law and supported by credible evidence.
“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,” Gajiram said.
The scale of the constituency, according to INEC, makes effective security coordination particularly important.
The Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency has 31 Registration Areas and 903 Polling Units, with 495,851 registered voters spread across the three local government areas.
Gajiram said the figures underscored the need for adequate planning to protect voters, electoral personnel and materials throughout the exercise.
He disclosed that INEC had already received all the non-sensitive materials required for the election.
Training for Supervisory Presiding Officers had also been completed, while the training of Presiding Officers and Assistant Presiding Officers was still ongoing.
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The REC further appealed to security agencies to provide adequate protection for INEC officials, election materials, polling units, Registration Areas, collation centres and other strategic locations.
He also urged security personnel to maintain professionalism and political neutrality throughout the election.
According to him, security officers must focus on protecting voters and the integrity of the electoral process rather than serving the interests of 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,” he said.
The Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency by-election is scheduled for Saturday, September 19, 2026, with INEC and security agencies expected to intensify preparations ahead of the poll.