The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has announced the apprehension of an anonymous hacker involved in a criminal conspiracy aimed at destabilizing national security.
The arrest, conducted by the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Center (NPF-NCCC), is part of an ongoing effort to maintain public order and protect sensitive government information.
According to a statement released by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the investigation began after a complaint from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).
The complaint alleged that a Twitter user with the handle @pidomnigeria had published and distributed a classified document concerning national security.
Following a thorough investigation, the NPF-NCCC identified three suspects connected to the leak: Bristol Isaac Tamunobifiri, Michael Temidayo Alade, and David Hundeyin.
The principal suspect, Bristol Isaac Tamunobifiri, was apprehended by NPF-NCCC operatives on Saturday, 5th August 2024, at a hotel in Port Harcourt.
During the arrest, Tamunobifiri reportedly attempted to resist by locking himself in his hotel room and destroying his phone to eliminate evidence.
He refused to provide his phone’s password, claiming he had forgotten it, further complicating the investigation.
Subsequent investigations revealed that Tamunobifiri had leaked a restricted document generated from the Office of the President to the Secretary of the Government of the Federation.
The suspect was also found to have illegally accessed police-restricted data, posting confidential directives from the Office of the Inspector-General of Police.
Furthermore, a forensic analysis of Tamunobifiri’s cryptocurrency transactions uncovered evidence of funds being raised through anonymous means to support cyberterrorism and other related crimes, posing a significant threat to Nigeria’s security network.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, has reaffirmed the Force’s dedication to maintaining peace and stability. He assured the public that the police would continue to act swiftly against any individual or group threatening the nation’s security.
The IGP also confirmed that investigations are ongoing to uncover all aspects of the conspiracy, with the suspects facing prosecution.
The principal suspect has been charged to court and remains in prison custody pending further legal action.
