By By Elizabeth Ugbo
The National Emergency Management Agency confirmed on Friday that suspected hackers breached its official website, redirected users to betting platforms, and published unauthorised content. The agency disclosed the incident through its X handle, warned Nigerians against fraudulent messages, and said it had started technical measures to restore the platform and strengthen security.
NEMA Confirms Website Breach
The agency said hackers gained unauthorised access to its website and altered some webpages. As a result, visitors who opened the homepage were reportedly redirected to suspicious betting websites and promotional pages.
Checks by News Point Nigeria showed that some redirects led users to gambling platforms such as Stake and 1XBet.
However, NEMA did not reveal how the attackers breached the website. The agency also withheld details about possible data exposure.
According to the statement, officials are currently working to secure the website and restore normal operations.
Public Warned Against Fraudulent Content
NEMA urged Nigerians to ignore suspicious information appearing on the compromised platform. The agency specifically warned against fraudulent requests for money and fake announcements linked to the hacked website.
Furthermore, officials advised the public to remain cautious while accessing related online channels until the issue is resolved completely.
The agency apologised for the inconvenience caused by the cyberattack. It also assured citizens that efforts were ongoing to improve the security of its digital infrastructure.
Growing Cybersecurity Concerns in Nigeria
The latest breach has again raised concerns about cybersecurity weaknesses in Nigerian government institutions.
Earlier, the Foundation for Investigative Journalism reported that some NEMA webpages had already been hijacked by unknown users. The report claimed the pages displayed betting games and anti-ageing cream advertisements.
The repeated incidents have intensified calls for stronger cybersecurity systems across public agencies in Nigeria.
