The official account of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, has vanished, leaving many Nigerians puzzled. The account, which had over two million followers, now displays a message: “The term you entered did not bring up any results. Please try again later.”
The disappearance of the EFCC’s X account has raised concerns that it may be the result of hacking attempts. Efforts to contact Dele Oyewale, the EFCC spokesperson, for comments have been unsuccessful, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the issue.
The EFCC’s X handle was a crucial source of updates on Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts, featuring statements from the commission’s chair, details of operations against suspected fraudsters, and reports on the interrogation of politically exposed individuals.
This incident has drawn attention to past cyberattacks on Nigerian institutions. During the 2020 #EndSARS protests, entities such as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) were targeted by cyberattacks. In August 2023, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) had already raised alarms about hackers targeting Nigeria’s critical digital infrastructure.
While the EFCC’s website and other social media platforms remain operational, the disappearance of their X account suggests a potential issue specific to the platform.