The alarming trend of phone number and WhatsApp account hacks affecting high-profile government officials has ignited serious concerns regarding cybersecurity in Nigeria.
This situation underscores the urgent need for enhanced protective measures to safeguard both personal and official communications.
Naturenex reports that several ministers in President Bola Tinubu’s administration, along with various state governors, have fallen victim to these hacking incidents this year.
In some cases, fraudsters have exploited the compromised accounts to solicit funds from unsuspecting individuals, instructing them to transfer money to specific bank accounts.
Here are some ministers and governors who have suffered the trend of hacking.
– The WhatsApp number of Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, on October 4th, 2024, was hacked.
The development was confirmed by his spokesperson, Bolaji Tunji.
– The WhatsApp number of the Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, 27th of September, 2024, was hacked by fraudsters.
This was made known in a statement on Friday by the Director, Press & PR, Ministry of Education, Boriowo Folasade.
– The WhatsApp account of the Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Enoh, on the 9th of September, 2024 was hacked by an unknown individual.
The development was communicated to the public in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Diana-Mary Nsan.
– The WhatsApp number of the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno, on the 14th of August, 2024, was hacked by fraudsters, leading to an attempt to defraud several of his contacts.
In a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the governor, Ekerete Udoh, it was revealed that the governor’s WhatsApp number was “cloned” by criminal elements who were attempting to defraud unsuspecting individuals.
– The Osun State Government, on 16th July, 2024, issued a public alert on the security breach of Governor Ademola Adeleke‘s official telephone number.
In a statement released by the Governor’s spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, the public was strongly advised to disregard any calls or messages received from the hacked number.
– Scammers on the 11th of February, 2024, compromised one of the phone numbers linked to Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, and attempted to extort money from unsuspecting individuals.
Naturenex reports that the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Ogbeche, disclosed this in a statement via his Facebook page.
