X account of Nigerian military headquarters hacked - Official

Nigeria's Defence Headquarters has confirmed its official X account, formerly Twitter, has been compromised. The military is treating the incident as a cybersecurity matter after the account was flooded with cryptocurrency-related posts. The account, which boasts over 980,000 followers and retains its verification badge, name, and profile elements, is a key channel for disseminating information on combat operations and defense matters.

Major General Samaila Uba, the spokesperson, stated in a Facebook post that technical measures have been activated to secure the account and prevent further unauthorized access. The Defence Headquarters assured the public that efforts are underway to fully restore control. In the interim, the public is strongly advised to disregard any suspicious, unauthorized, or misleading content appearing on the compromised account.

“

The Defence Headquarters assures the public that efforts are ongoing to fully restore control of the official account.

While the exact time of the hack was not specified, the cryptocurrency messages appear to have been posted consistently, with many appearing approximately 19 hours prior to the statement. The Defence Headquarters emphasized its commitment to maintaining the highest standards of information security and ensuring the public receives accurate, timely, and credible information about the Armed Forces of Nigeria's activities and operations.

To ensure access to verified information, the military urged the public to rely on other official communication channels, including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. The spokesperson expressed appreciation for the public's understanding and vigilance, promising further updates as the situation develops.

“

Consequently, members of the public are advised to disregard any suspicious, unauthorised or misleading content that may be posted from the account during this period.