Two Gombe LGAs Declared High-Risk By INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has flagged Gombe and Funakaye Local Government Areas in Gombe State as high-risk areas ahead of Saturday’s by-election in the Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Constituency.

The State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Umar-Mukhtar Gajiram, disclosed this on Tuesday while briefing members of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security. Gajiram said the commission’s electoral security assessment identified Gombe and Funakaye as areas requiring heightened attention because of the activities of political thugs, locally known as “Kalare boys.”

According to him, such groups’ activities could threaten the peaceful conduct of the poll through voter intimidation, disruption of voting, and interference with electoral officials and materials.

“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’,” he said.

The REC also listed Kwami Local Government Area as a security concern, citing recent attacks attributed to herders and its proximity to Borno State.

“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,” Gajiram said.

He stressed that the classification was not meant to stigmatise the affected communities but to help security agencies identify potential vulnerabilities and implement preventive measures.

Gajiram called for stronger intelligence gathering and information sharing among security agencies, particularly regarding individuals and groups that could threaten the election.

“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.

He, however, warned security personnel against arbitrary arrests or harassment, urging them to base their actions on the law and 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,” he said.

The Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Constituency comprises Gombe, Kwami and Funakaye LGAs, with 31 Registration Areas and 903 Polling Units, according to INEC records. The constituency has 495,851 registered voters.

Gajiram said the size of the electorate and the number of polling locations required careful security planning, coordination among agencies and timely deployment of personnel and resources.

He said INEC had received all the non-sensitive materials needed for the election, while training for Supervisory Presiding Officers had been completed and training for Presiding Officers and Assistant Presiding Officers was ongoing.

The REC urged security agencies to protect INEC personnel and electoral materials, as well as polling units, Registration Areas, collation centres and other designated locations. He also urged security personnel to remain professional and impartial throughout the exercise, stressing that their responsibility was to safeguard voters and the electoral process, not serve any candidate’s or political party’s interests.

The Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Constituency by-election is scheduled for Saturday, September 19, 2026.