Police Quiz Wike’s Aide, Detain INEC Official over Alleged Voter Data Leak

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Jun 3, 2026 #electoral data security Nigeria, #FID-IRT police investigation, #INEC official detained, #INEC portal leak, #INEC voter data leak, #Lere Olayinka police interrogation, #Nigeria electoral commission data breach, #Nigeria voter database breach, #Nyesom Wike aide news, #police investigation INEC staff, #voter registration database Nigeria, #Wike aide investigation

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The police have questioned Lere Olayinka, media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over allegations relating to the leak of voter data from the portal of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

According to a report by TheCable, investigators from the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) grilled Olayinka on Tuesday at the Police Headquarters in the Federal Capital Territory as part of an ongoing investigation into the alleged breach.

The development comes amid a wider probe into the alleged unauthorised access and circulation of sensitive voter information linked to the database of the electoral body.

An official of INEC is also reported to have been detained in connection with the incident, as investigators seek to establish the source, extent, and motive behind the alleged data leak.

While details of the interrogation remain limited, security sources cited in the report indicated that the investigation is focusing on how the voter data was accessed and whether it was improperly shared or exploited.

Neither the police nor the individuals involved have issued detailed public statements on the allegations at this stage.

The probe has triggered fresh concerns about data security within Nigeria’s electoral systems, particularly as INEC continues efforts to strengthen the integrity of its voter registration database and digital infrastructure ahead of future elections.

The alleged leak also raises broader questions around internal controls, access permissions, and the protection of sensitive electoral information, which is considered critical to public trust in Nigeria’s democratic process.

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