Coronavirus: National information agency warns against fake news
- Information agency has debunked the rumour claiming that the federal government has ordered payment of a weekly allowance for Nigerians
- NITDA said the fraudulent website, which requires users to submit bank details, is only capitalising on coronavirus epidemic
- The agency warned Nigerians against giving out their personal information to anyone online and avoid clicking unknown links
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has warned members of the general public against a fraudulent website trying to capitalise on coronavirus epidemic to defraud people.
In a statement released by the agency's head of corporate affairs and external relation, Hadiza Umar, on Tuesday, March 24, in Abuja, NITDA described as false the news that federal government has ordered payment of a certain amount into the account of Nigerians.
NITDA described the website, which requires the user to complete an online form with personal information including bank details, as fraudulent.
It emphasised that the government does not plan to give allowance to Nigerians as a result of the economic effect of coronavirus.
The agency warned members of the public to disregard suspected fraudulent tricks and report such websites to its headquarters.
NITDA also enjoined Nigerian not to give out their personal information to anyone online and disregard offers requesting for their bank details.
“We are all encouraged to strictly adhere to recommendations given by health experts, and follow updates from relevant agencies handling this outbreak,” NITDA added.
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Meanwhile, Legit.ng had reported that some Nigerians have expressed fear over a scheduled British Airways flight expected to depart Heathrow Airport, London for Lagos on Wednesday, March 25, despite the federal government’s flight ban imposed on high-risk countries over the coronavirus pandemic.
England is one of the countries battling with the coronavirus infection and the virus has reportedly killed 340 in the United Kingdom.
Nigeria on the other hand currently has 46 confirmed cases of the disease with one death.
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Coronavirus: 5 ways Nigeria is handling COVID-19 | Legit TV
Source: Legit.ng
