INEC Flags High-Risk Areas Ahead of Gombe By-Election

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has raised security concerns regarding the upcoming Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency by-election scheduled for Saturday. Umar-Mukhtar Gajiram, the State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), announced that Gombe and Funakaye Local Government Areas (LGAs) have been classified as high-risk areas due to potential threats from political thugs known as 'Kalare boys'.

Kwami LGA is also under close observation due to recent attacks attributed to herders and its proximity to Borno State. Gajiram emphasized that this classification is not intended to stigmatize communities but to aid security agencies in identifying and mitigating threats.

He called for enhanced intelligence gathering and monitoring of groups that could disrupt the election, while also urging security forces to act lawfully and avoid arbitrary arrests. The Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency comprises 31 Registration Areas and 903 Polling Units, with a total of 495,851 registered voters.