Nigerian Army Confirms Cybersecurity Breach Attempt on Official X Account
The Nigerian Army has confirmed an attempted unauthorised takeover of its official X account, warning Nigerians and the media to disregard any suspicious or unverified posts appearing on the platform while efforts continue to secure the account.
The Army said the incident occurred at about 5pm on Saturday, August 29, 2026, and is being treated as a cybersecurity breach.
The development has raised concerns over the security of official government communication channels, particularly where false information from a compromised account could be mistaken for an authorised military statement.
Army activates emergency security measures
In a statement, the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, said the military immediately activated technical and protective measures after detecting the attempted unauthorised access.
According to the Army, the measures are aimed at securing the affected account, preventing further intrusion and protecting the integrity of information published through the platform.
The military said it is also working to restore exclusive administrative control of the account.
The Army stressed that any content published through the affected account during the incident that appears suspicious, misleading, unauthorised or unverified should not be regarded as an official position.
Public urged to verify military information
With the account potentially compromised, the Nigerian Army has urged members of the public and media organisations to exercise caution when relying on information posted there.
The warning is particularly important because the Army’s social media accounts are used to communicate information about military operations, security developments and other matters of public interest.
The military advised Nigerians to cross-check information through its other verified communication channels until the situation is fully resolved.
Official channels remain available
The Army identified its other official platforms as alternative sources of information while the X account is being secured.
These include Facebook accounts @hqnigerianarmy and @nigerianarmyinfo, as well as Instagram accounts using the same handles.
Its listed YouTube channels include @hqnigerianarmy and @nigerianarmyinfotv.
The Army also listed @nigerianarmyinfo as its official X handle.
Why the breach matters
The incident highlights the growing cybersecurity risks facing public institutions and organisations that depend heavily on social media to communicate with citizens.
A compromised official account can potentially be used to circulate false statements, manipulate public perception or create confusion during sensitive security situations.
For a military institution, the stakes are particularly high because inaccurate information attributed to the Army could have implications for public safety and operational security.
The Army said it remains committed to information integrity, operational security and responsible strategic communication.
Technical teams will continue efforts to fully secure the account and restore exclusive administrative access.
Until the process is completed, Nigerians are being urged to ignore suspicious content from the affected X account and verify Army-related information through its other official platforms.
The incident is also a reminder that cybersecurity is no longer simply an issue for technology companies. Government institutions, security agencies and members of the public must all remain vigilant as official communication increasingly moves online.
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