Police Arrest INEC Official, Question Wike’s Aide Over Alleged Voter Data Leak

The Nigeria Police Force has launched an extensive investigation into the alleged unauthorised access and dissemination of sensitive voter information from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), leading to the arrest of an electoral official and the questioning of a senior political aide.

Sources within the police hierarchy confirmed on Wednesday that operatives of the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) are investigating allegations of cyber-related offences, database misuse and the unlawful disclosure of classified electoral records.

As part of the ongoing investigation, an INEC official whose identity has not been publicly disclosed was taken into custody by investigators.

The police also questioned Lere Olayinka, media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, at the Force Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.

The investigation reportedly followed a petition submitted on behalf of INEC alleging criminal conspiracy, cyber intimidation and the unauthorised release of sensitive electoral information.

The controversy arose after screenshots purportedly showing details of a voter registration transfer involving Nollywood actor and politician Emeka Ike were circulated on social media.

The documents appeared to indicate that Ike’s voter registration had been transferred from Imo State to the Federal Capital Territory.

The disclosure sparked intense public debate, particularly amid discussions surrounding the actor’s political ambitions and questions over eligibility to contest elective office within the FCT.

However, attention quickly shifted to the source of the information after critics argued that the records appeared to originate from INEC’s restricted voter registration database.

The incident has triggered concerns about data security within Nigeria’s electoral system and raised fresh questions about the protection of sensitive personal information held by public institutions.

Investigators are expected to determine whether there was unauthorised access to INEC’s database, identify those responsible and establish whether any criminal laws were violated.

Neither INEC nor the police has officially disclosed the full details of the investigation, while authorities have maintained that inquiries remain ongoing.

The outcome of the probe is likely to attract significant public interest given its implications for electoral integrity, data protection and confidence in Nigeria’s democratic institutions.