The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) confirmed on Wednesday that its official website had been hacked, urging the public to disregard any information posted on the site until further notice. The cyber attack comes just one day after the agency released a significant report detailing crime statistics and security perceptions across Nigeria. The NBS acknowledged the breach through a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), assuring Nigerians that efforts were underway to restore the site.
“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 posted on its official X account. The agency’s warning to the public highlighted the urgency of the situation, as hackers may have manipulated or fabricated reports on the compromised platform.
The timing of the cyber attack has raised concerns, as it occurred shortly after the NBS released its much-anticipated Crime Experience and Security Perception Survey report. The report, which covers a one-year period from May 2023 to April 2024, contains troubling statistics about the state of security in the country. Among the key findings, the report revealed that Nigerians paid an alarming total of N2.23 trillion in ransom over the course of one year, a reflection of the widespread issue of kidnapping and ransom demands.
The NBS report also highlighted the staggering number of crime incidents reported across Nigerian households. According to the findings, an estimated 51.89 million crime incidents were recorded during the surveyed period, with the north-western region of the country bearing the brunt. The north-west had over 14 million recorded crime incidents, the highest in the nation, while the south-east recorded the least with just over six million incidents.
Additionally, the report showed that rural areas experienced a higher rate of crime incidents than urban areas. Rural regions recorded a total of 26.5 million crimes, while urban areas saw 25.36 million incidents. This statistic reflects the broader security challenges faced by both urban and rural communities across Nigeria, despite the government’s ongoing efforts to combat crime.
As NBS works to restore its website, there are growing concerns about the potential consequences of the hack. Experts are questioning whether the breach could be linked to the sensitive nature of the data recently released, particularly the financial and crime-related figures that may have exposed vulnerabilities. The NBS has not yet disclosed the extent of the damage caused by the hackers or the specific type of information that may have been compromised.
While the website remains down, Nigerians are urged to rely on official government channels and verified news sources for updates.
