List of Ministers and Governors Whose WhatsApp and Phone Numbers Have Been Hacked

The alarming trend of phone number and WhatsApp account hacks targeting high-profile government officials in Nigeria has raised significant cybersecurity concerns. The situation emphasizes the urgent need for enhanced protective measures to secure both personal and official communications. Several ministers in President Bola Tinubu’s administration and various state governors have fallen victim to these hacking incidents this year.

Here are some of the officials affected:

1. Adebayo Adelabu (Minister of Power)

• Date Hacked: October 4, 2024
• Details: His WhatsApp number was hacked, confirmed by his spokesperson, Bolaji Tunji.

1. Professor Tahir Mamman (Minister of Education)

• Date Hacked: September 27, 2024
• Details: Fraudsters hacked his WhatsApp account, as announced by Boriowo Folasade, Director of Press & PR at the Ministry of Education.

1. Senator John Enoh (Minister of Sports Development)

• Date Hacked: September 9, 2024
• Details: His WhatsApp account was compromised, according to a statement from his spokesperson, Diana-Mary Nsan.

1. Umo Eno (Governor of Akwa Ibom State)

• Date Hacked: August 14, 2024
• Details: His WhatsApp number was hacked, leading to attempts to defraud his contacts. The Chief Press Secretary, Ekerete Udoh, confirmed that the number was “cloned” by criminals.

1. Ademola Adeleke (Governor of Osun State)

• Date Hacked: July 16, 2024
• Details: The Osun State Government issued a public alert regarding the security breach of Adeleke’s official phone number, advising the public to disregard any messages from the hacked number, as stated by spokesperson Mallam Olawale Rasheed.

1. Bassey Otu (Governor of Cross River State)

• Date Hacked: February 11, 2024
• Details: One of his phone numbers was compromised, and attempts were made to extort money from unsuspecting individuals. The governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Ogbeche, disclosed the incident via Facebook.

This trend of hacking not only poses risks to the personal privacy of these officials but also threatens the integrity of their communications with the public and stakeholders.