Police Arrest Man Conducting Illegal INEC Voters’ Registration for Politicians in Abia State

The arrest of a man allegedly conducting unauthorised voters’ registration using equipment belonging to the Independent National Electoral Commission has triggered serious concerns about electoral integrity, internal safeguards within Nigeria’s election management system, and the persistent vulnerabilities surrounding voter registration processes at the grassroots level.

Operatives of the Abia State Command of the Nigeria Police Force arrested a 47-year-old man, identified as Chukwuemeka Nwaobilor, after he was found in possession of a voters’ registration machine assigned to the Independent National Electoral Commission. The arrest occurred at a football field in Mbawsi community, Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area of Abia State.

Preliminary accounts indicate that the registration device recovered from the suspect was officially designated for use in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area, raising immediate red flags over its presence and alleged use in a different jurisdiction.

Ejes Gist News reports that the incident has sparked official inquiries by both security agencies and electoral authorities, amid unconfirmed allegations that the suspect may have been acting on behalf of political interests within the Isiala Ngwa North and South federal constituency.

 

According to information obtained by security sources, Nwaobilor was apprehended while operating at a football field in Mbawsi, a community within Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area. The location is not recognised by INEC as an authorised registration centre for the area where the device was found in use.

Police sources disclosed that the suspect was taken into custody following actionable intelligence received by officers attached to the Criminal Investigation Department of the Isiala Ngwa North Police Division. The operation was reportedly carried out in collaboration with the Divisional Police Officer and the Mayor of Isiala Ngwa Local Government Area.

The tip-off, according to officials familiar with the matter, suggested that an individual was conducting voter registration outside the legally approved framework, prompting swift intervention by law enforcement personnel.

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Alleged Possession of INEC Registration Equipment

Central to the investigation is the INEC voters’ registration machine recovered from the suspect at the scene. Such equipment is typically deployed under strict operational guidelines, including:

• Assignment to specific local government areas and registration centres
• Supervision by accredited INEC officials
• Usage only during officially approved registration exercises

Security officials confirmed that the device found in Nwaobilor’s possession was registered to Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area, not Isiala Ngwa North, where the arrest took place.

This discrepancy has intensified scrutiny over how the equipment left its designated operational zone and whether internal controls within the electoral body were compromised.

Claims of Political Collaboration

Unconfirmed reports circulating locally allege that the suspect may be an INEC staff member attached to Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area. These reports further suggest that he may have been collaborating with unnamed politicians from the Isiala Ngwa North and South federal constituency.

While no political figure has been formally named or charged in connection with the case, security agencies have not ruled out broader investigations to determine whether the incident forms part of a coordinated effort to manipulate voter registration figures.

Officials familiar with electoral security note that illegal voter registration, if proven, can significantly distort voter rolls, undermine public trust in elections, and create post-election disputes that threaten democratic stability.

 

Following his arrest, Nwaobilor was reportedly transported to the Abia State Police Command Headquarters for further investigation. Police sources indicated that investigators are focusing on several key areas, including:

• Verification of the suspect’s employment status with INEC
• Authentication of the registration machine and its deployment history
• Identification of any accomplices, including possible political sponsors
• Assessment of data already captured on the device

The Nigeria Police Force has not issued a formal public statement detailing the charges under consideration, but sources indicate that offences relating to unlawful possession of electoral materials and impersonation may be explored, subject to investigative findings.

INEC’s Response and Internal Verification

When contacted, an INEC staff member in Abia State, Mr. Victor Abraham, confirmed the arrest during a telephone interview. He stated that INEC management in the state was meeting to verify the identity of the suspect and establish whether he is indeed an employee of the commission.

According to Abraham, INEC maintains strict protocols governing the handling and deployment of voter registration equipment. Any breach of these protocols, he noted, would be treated as a serious internal matter, in addition to any criminal proceedings initiated by law enforcement agencies.

INEC officials emphasised that the commission has mechanisms for tracking its equipment and personnel assignments, though they acknowledged that investigations would determine whether those safeguards were circumvented in this case.

Security officials in Abia State indicated that the prompt response to the tip-off leading to Nwaobilor’s arrest reflects ongoing efforts to deter electoral misconduct ahead of future electoral activities.

 

They added that collaboration between local government authorities, community leaders, and security agencies remains essential in detecting irregular activities at the grassroots.

 

Residents of Mbawsi and surrounding communities expressed surprise over the incident, with some community members acknowledging that the presence of voter registration activities outside official announcements often raises suspicion.

 

The arrest was initially reported by The Nation, whose account detailed the circumstances surrounding the discovery of the INEC registration machine and the subsequent police action.

Media analysts note that transparent reporting of such incidents plays a critical role in public accountability, particularly in reinforcing confidence that alleged electoral offences are taken seriously by both security agencies and electoral authorities.