While details surrounding the arrest weren’t explained, the police noted that the matter was investigated by the NPF-National Cyber Crime Centre, adding that the funds had been recovered.
This was disclosed in a statement issued at the Force Headquarters in Abuja on Thursday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, titled, “Enugu State Government account was never hacked — Police confirms.”
According to the statement, the report of the account’s hack is false, as the matter was one of a procurement fraud and not a cyber breach.
“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. There has been no hacking of the Enugu State Government’s account, and the allegations of theft amounting to N1.09 billion are entirely baseless.
“The case, which was investigated by the NPF-National Cyber Crime Centre (NCCC), was a procurement fraud case, not a cyber-breach. The suspect has been arrested in connection with this fraud, and the funds have already been recovered,” the statement partly read.
“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,” it added.
The police urged the public to desist from misinformation and to always verify the credibility of news sources.
On January 2, 2025, the Enugu State Police Command released its 2024 operational report, highlighting significant achievements in combating crime and ensuring public safety.
According to the report, which was signed by its spokesperson, Daniel Ndukwe, a total of 1,072 suspects were arrested for various criminal offences, including armed robbery, kidnapping, murder and cultism while 200 firearms were recovered including 21 AK-47 rifles, one submachine gun, one G-3 rifle and 1,863 rounds of ammunition.
Additionally, 124 vehicles were recovered, comprising motor vehicles, tricycles, and motorcycles.
It noted that about 100 kidnapped or abducted victims were rescued within the period.
