Security Breach: NBS Website Hacked Day After Releasing N2.23tn Ransom Payment Report
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has reported that hackers have gained unauthorized access to its official website.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, the agency confirmed the breach and advised the public to disregard any messages or reports published on the compromised website until it is fully restored.
“This is to inform the public that the NBS Website has been hacked and we are working to recover it. Please disregard any message or report posted until the website is fully restored. Thank you,” the NBS stated in their X post.
The hacking incident comes just a day after the NBS released its crime experience and security perception survey report, which revealed startling statistics about the state of security in Nigeria. According to the report, Nigerians paid a staggering sum of N2.23 trillion as ransom between May 2023 and April 2024, with an estimated 51.89 million crime incidents recorded across households during the same period.
The report further broke down the crime statistics by region, indicating that the north-west region had the highest number of incidents, estimated at over 14 million, while the south-east recorded the lowest with over six million cases. Interestingly, the NBS data also showed that crime incidence was higher in rural areas (26,526,069) compared to urban areas (25,360,963).
It remains unclear whether the hacking of the NBS website is related to the recent release of the crime report or if it is an isolated incident. The agency has not provided any information about the extent of the breach or the potential impact on its data and operations.
Cybersecurity experts have long warned about the increasing threat of cyber attacks on government agencies and the need for robust security measures to protect sensitive information. The NBS, as a critical data-gathering institution, holds valuable information that could be targeted by malicious actors for various purposes, including financial gain or political motives.
The public is advised to exercise caution and verify the authenticity of any information attributed to the NBS until the agency confirms the restoration of its website. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining strong cybersecurity practices and the need for organizations to remain vigilant against potential threats in the digital landscape.
As the NBS works to regain control of its website, it is expected that they will conduct a thorough investigation into the breach and take necessary steps to prevent similar incidents in the future. The agency’s ability to safeguard its digital infrastructure is crucial to maintaining public trust and ensuring the integrity of the data it collects and disseminates.
