Hackers Seize Control of NBS Website: What It Means for Online Security
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has reported that its official website was compromised by hackers on December 18, 2024.
The agency announced the breach via its X (formerly Twitter) account, stating: “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.”
The NBS is actively working to regain control of the website and has advised the public to ignore any content posted on the site until it is fully restored.
This incident occurred shortly after the bureau released its Crime Experienced and Security Perception Survey (CESPS) 2024, which detailed crime statistics in Nigeria between May 2023 and April 2024.
The NBS plays a crucial role in collecting, analyzing, and disseminating statistical data on Nigeria’s economy, governance, and development.
The recent cyberattack raises concerns about the security of government digital platforms and the potential for misinformation during the recovery period.
This breach is part of a broader trend of increasing cyberattacks on Nigerian government websites. In recent years, various government ministries, financial institutions, and telecom companies have been targeted by cybercriminals, leading to significant financial and operational disruptions.
The NBS has not provided a specific timeline for the website’s restoration but assures the public that efforts are underway to resolve the issue promptly.
In the meantime, stakeholders and the general public are urged to rely on official communications from the NBS’s verified social media channels for accurate information.
