Nigeria Cybersecurity Crisis Deepens as Ransomware Attacks Hit CAC, Banks, Financial Systems

Nigeria is grappling with a major escalation in cybersecurity attacks in Nigeria following a coordinated wave of ransomware incidents that have targeted government agencies, financial institutions, and critical digital infrastructure across the country.

Key regulatory and technology agencies, including the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, have confirmed breaches affecting sensitive systems, leading to service disruptions, emergency shutdowns, and ongoing forensic investigations.

The crisis is most visible at the Corporate Affairs Commission, where authorities temporarily shut down its company registration portal following what is described as a large-scale breach of its digital infrastructure. The move was taken to contain the incident and prevent further compromise of records.

Cybersecurity analysts report that a threat group identified as ByteToBreach is behind the attack, allegedly gaining access to millions of corporate records. Initial assessments suggest that about 25 million documents (over 750GB of data) may have been exposed.

While some of the files reportedly contain routine corporate filings, a significant portion is believed to include sensitive information such as company ownership structures, directors’ details, and identity-linked records. Experts warn that this level of exposure increases the risk of identity theft in Nigeria, corporate fraud, and targeted financial scams.

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The impact of the attacks is not limited to government institutions. Reports indicate that Nigeria’s financial sector has also been affected, with incidents linked to Sterling Bank and the government-backed payment platform Remita. Security researchers say attackers are increasingly exploiting weaknesses in cloud systems and misconfigured databases to access sensitive financial information.

Industry data suggests that Nigerian organisations now face thousands of cyberattack attempts weekly, highlighting the growing scale and sophistication of cybercrime in Nigeria’s financial sector.

Beyond immediate financial risks, experts warn that Nigeria’s electoral infrastructure could also become a target. Systems managed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are considered vulnerable ahead of future elections, including the 2027 general polls.

Cybersecurity specialists caution that such systems could face ransomware attacks, voter data manipulation, or disruption of electronic result transmission, all of which could undermine public trust in electoral processes.

Analysts describe the situation as a serious test of Nigeria’s digital security and data protection framework, warning that leaked databases could be used to map economic structures and expose sensitive national information.

They also point to deeper systemic challenges, including outdated infrastructure, weak enforcement of cybersecurity standards, and insufficient skilled personnel in the sector. These gaps, they say, have left critical systems exposed to increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.

In response, the NDPC has issued a nationwide advisory urging organisations to strengthen their cybersecurity posture. Recommended measures include the adoption of multi-factor authentication (MFA), implementation of zero-trust security models, regular system patching, stronger cloud security controls, and continuous vulnerability testing.

The agency stressed that compliance with Nigeria’s data protection regulations is now essential to reducing exposure to future attacks.

Meanwhile, reports estimate that Nigeria has lost billions of dollars to cybercrime in recent years, with annual losses continuing to rise as digital adoption expands across banking, government services, and commerce.

Experts warn that without urgent investment in cybersecurity infrastructure in Nigeria, the country risks more severe disruptions that could affect financial stability, public trust, and national digital systems.

Nigeria Cybersecurity Crisis Deepens as Ransomware Attacks Hit CAC, Banks, Financial Systems

LASTMA Intervenes as Tanker Kills Dispatch Rider in Lagos

A tragic road accident involving a fuel tanker has claimed the life of a dispatch rider in the Motorways inward Estate area of Alapere, Lagos, further raising concerns over road safety in Lagos and the dangers posed by heavy-duty vehicles.

According to the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, preliminary investigations revealed that the driver of an empty NIPCO tanker, identified with registration number TTN-776ZQ, was allegedly speeding along the Estate axis when he rammed into the moving dispatch rider.

The impact of the collision was described as devastating, resulting in the instantaneous death of the rider at the scene.

In a statement issued by LASTMA spokesperson, Adebayo Taofiq, the agency expressed deep regret over the incident, noting that it cast a sombre mood over the area.

“The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority profoundly regrets to report a fatal road traffic incident that occurred at Motorways inward Estate area of Alapere, Lagos, culminating in the untimely demise of a dispatch rider,” the statement said.

The situation quickly escalated as a group of angry dispatch riders reportedly descended on the tanker driver, attacking him in retaliation for the fatal crash.

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However, LASTMA officials swiftly intervened to prevent further violence. The agency confirmed that its operatives rescued the injured driver from the mob and handed him over to the Lagos State Ambulance Service for urgent medical attention at a nearby hospital.

Security was further reinforced by operatives from the Nigeria Police Force, particularly officers from the Alausa Police Station, who were deployed to disperse the crowd and restore order at the scene.

The General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed condolences to the family of the deceased, describing the incident as both tragic and avoidable. He emphasised the need for strict adherence to traffic regulations, especially by drivers of articulated vehicles.

Bakare-Oki also reiterated that road safety is a shared responsibility among all road users, urging motorists to avoid excessive speeding and reckless driving.

Authorities confirmed that the tanker and the damaged motorcycle have been handed over to the police as part of ongoing investigations into the crash.

The incident highlights a recurring pattern of tanker-related accidents in Lagos, often linked to speeding, brake failure, or poor vehicle maintenance. It also underscores the vulnerability of dispatch riders, who frequently navigate congested roads under time pressure.

As investigations continue, traffic authorities have renewed calls for improved enforcement, driver education, and stricter monitoring of heavy-duty vehicles to reduce accidents and improve traffic safety in Lagos.

LASTMA Intervenes as Tanker Kills Dispatch Rider in Lagos

Army Intercepts 314 Rounds of Ammunition, Arrests Terror Couriers in Kogi

Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 12 Brigade have recorded a major breakthrough in the fight against terrorist logistics networks in Nigeria, intercepting suspected couriers and recovering 314 rounds of ammunition in Kogi State.

The operation, carried out in Kogi State, followed more than three months of sustained intelligence-driven efforts aimed at disrupting the movement of arms and supplies used by criminal and terrorist groups operating across the North-Central region.

Military authorities revealed that on March 29, troops deployed along the Jamata–Owara road in Lokoja Local Government Area intercepted a suspect transporting items on a motorcycle. Investigations showed the motorcycle had been modified with a concealed compartment specifically designed for covert ammunition transport—highlighting the evolving tactics of arms traffickers.

The suspect was subsequently linked to known terrorist elements, prompting intensified follow-up operations that led to the arrest of Mathew Elisha, also known as Nasara. He was described by security operatives as a high-profile ammunition courier who had been on a watch list.

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In a separate but related operation on April 20, soldiers mounted a checkpoint along the Obajana–Kabba road in Lokoja LGA, where they intercepted a Toyota bus travelling from Makurdi to Obajana. Two suspects—Zubairu Abubakar and Adamu Abubakar Abdullahi—were arrested during the stop-and-search exercise.

A detailed search of the vehicle led to the recovery of 314 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and three AK-47 magazines, which had been carefully concealed behind the driver’s seat. Additional items recovered included mobile phones, a driver’s licence, a National Identification Number slip, and an identity card, all of which are expected to support ongoing investigations.

The Nigerian Army confirmed that the suspects and recovered exhibits have been handed over to the 12 Military Intelligence Brigade for further interrogation and intelligence exploitation.

Security officials say the operation underscores ongoing efforts to dismantle illegal arms trafficking in Nigeria, which continues to fuel banditry, kidnapping, and other forms of violent crime. Kogi State, due to its strategic location linking northern and southern parts of the country, remains a critical transit route for such illicit activities.

The Army reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining aggressive, intelligence-led operations to curb insecurity and disrupt supply chains supporting criminal networks. It also called on members of the public to provide timely and credible information to aid security agencies in their operations.

The latest development highlights a broader strategy by the military to weaken insurgent groups by targeting not only fighters but also the logistics systems that sustain them, including ammunition couriers and supply routes.

Army Intercepts 314 Rounds of Ammunition, Arrests Terror Couriers in Kogi