The WhatsApp number of Umo Eno, the governor of Nigeria’s affluent Akwa Ibom state, has been hacked by fraudsters. This incident, which occurred on Tuesday, has raised serious concerns about cybersecurity among high-profile Nigerian figures. The scammers exploited the governor’s WhatsApp account to send out messages requesting transfers of money from his contacts, promising reimbursement at a later date.
Akwa Ibom, located in southern Nigeria, is renowned for its substantial economic wealth. It ranks as the country’s third-richest state, with an impressive annual gross domestic product (GDP) of $19 billion (£15 billion). The breach of Governor Eno’s communication platform is particularly troubling given the state’s economic significance and the governor’s high profile.
The fraudulent messages were sent to many of Governor Eno’s phone contacts, leading to confusion and alarm among recipients. The scammers, posing as the governor, instructed individuals to transfer money to specified accounts, under the pretense of a financial transaction that would be reimbursed later. The deception was exposed when Governor Eno’s chief press secretary, Ekerete Udoh, issued a statement confirming that the governor’s WhatsApp number had been “cloned” by criminals. The statement assured the public that any messages soliciting funds from this number should be disregarded as they were not from the governor.
The breach underscores a troubling trend of cyber fraud targeting high-profile Nigerian politicians. Less than a month prior, a similar incident involved the phone number of Ademola Adeleke, the governor of Osun State and the uncle of renowned Afrobeats artist Davido. This recurrence of digital fraud highlights the vulnerability of prominent figures to such attacks and the broader issue of cyber insecurity in Nigeria.
To address this growing problem, cybersecurity experts are advocating for enhanced security measures. Bilal Abdullahi, a cybersecurity analyst, emphasized the importance of additional security layers for digital communications. He recommended that governors and other officials utilize WhatsApp’s security features, such as linking the app to an email for authorization and employing the App Lock feature, which requires a PIN or passcode to access the application. These measures can help mitigate the risk of unauthorized access and reduce the likelihood of successful cyber-attacks.
Despite rigorous efforts by Nigeria’s financial crimes agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to combat cyber fraud, the problem remains pervasive. The EFCC has conducted numerous arrests in recent years, targeting individuals involved in what is locally known as “Yahoo-Yahoo”—a term used to describe various forms of internet fraud. However, the widespread nature of these crimes indicates that much work remains to be done in curbing the issue.
In response to the escalating threat of cybercrime, the Nigerian government has invested significantly in enhancing its cybersecurity capabilities. The creation of a state-of-the-art cyber-crime center demonstrates the administration’s commitment to addressing digital fraud. Uche Ifeanyi Henry, director of Nigeria’s National Cyber Crime Centre (NCCC), recently revealed that substantial financial resources have been allocated to this initiative. The goal is to strengthen Nigeria’s ability to tackle cybercrime effectively and to signal a serious approach to addressing the growing digital security threats facing the nation.
The recent breach of Governor Eno’s WhatsApp number serves as a stark reminder of the importance of robust cybersecurity practices. Both individuals and institutions in Nigeria must be vigilant and proactive in protecting their digital communications. While the government’s investment in cybersecurity infrastructure is a crucial step forward, it is equally important for individuals to adopt stringent security measures for their online activities. As cybercriminals continue to refine their tactics, comprehensive security protocols and awareness will be vital in safeguarding against these sophisticated and persistent threats.
