Did Cybercriminal Hack and Steal N1 Billion from Enugu Govt’s Account? Police Speak

• The Nigerian police in a statement on Thursday, confirmed that Enugu State Government's account was not hacked
• The statement signed by ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the spokesperson, Force Headquarters Abuja, debunked claims of N1.09 billion theft
• Adejobi disclosed that a suspect connected to the fraudulent activity has been arrested, and the Enugu state government has implemented financial security measures in partnership with the NPF’s National Cyber Crime Centre

Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements

The Nigeria Police Force on Thursday, January 9, 2025, refuted reports that a cybercriminal allegedly hacked into the account of the Enugu state government and stole N1.09 billion.

The spokesperson, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, disclosed this in a statement made available to the press.

A report surfaced suggesting that a suspected cybercriminal, Osita Onuma, allegedly infiltrated the financial system of the Enugu state government and stole about N1.09 billion from the government account.

Read also

Breaking: US govt returns ex-minister Diezani's $52.88 million assets to Nigeria, details emerge

Premium Times confirmed the report in its publication.

But reacting on Thursday, Adejobi described the report as “false and unfounded,” and clarified that the case involved procurement fraud, not a cyber breach.

Part of the statement shared on the Force's X page read:

"ENUGU STATE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNT WAS NEVER HACKED – POLICE CONFIRMS

"Theft of N1.09BN False.

"The Nigeria Police Force hereby categorically dismiss the false narrative and rumour circulating online about an alleged hack of the Enugu State Government’s official account, resulting in the theft of N1.09 billion. This assertion is completely unfounded.

"The case, which was investigated by the NPF-National Cyber Crime Centre (NCCC), was a case of procurement fraud, not a cyber-breach. The suspect has been arrested in connection with this fraud, and the funds have already been recovered.

"The Enugu State Government and other ministries, departments, and agencies of government and corporate firms are in partnership with the NCCC and have established comprehensive and fortified security protocols to safeguard their financial systems."

Read also

“N400 million for 6 computers?” Bauchi gov breaks silence on SSG’s IT budget allocation

"Citizens are hereby encouraged to refrain from engaging in misinformation and to always verify the credibility of news sources."

Read more about Enugu state here:

• Biafra: Enugu governor briefs Tinubu on IPOB’s sit-at-home, video surfaces
• Tinubu visits Enugu, commissions key state projects
• Enugu state government to spend N10 billion on CCTV in 2025
• Nigerian army busts IPOB hideout, take down 13 members, arrest notorious kidnappers

Tinubu calls Enugu governor his friend

In another development, Legit.ng earlier reported that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu praised Mbah as a good thinker.

The president told Mbah that with cooperation and focus, they can go places together.

Proofreading by Nkem Ikeke, journalist and copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng