In a distressing turn of events, the official website of the Ogun State Government, www.ogunstate.gov.ng, has fallen victim to a vicious cyber-attack.
A meticulous examination carried out by our correspondent on Wednesday has revealed that the website has been effectively seized by a group of hackers.
The perpetrators, who go by the name “Anon Ghost” and claim to be operating from the Maldives, boldly identified themselves as Aliester Crowley. The hacked website now prominently displays the distinctive inscription, “We are Anon Ghost,” accompanied by what appears to be the hackers’ logo.
In a chilling message left for the government and its web visitors, the cyber attackers conveyed their ominous intentions, stating, “We are legend, we do not forgive, we do not forget, expect us. Hacked by Aliester Crowley. Update your security! Greetings from the Maldives. Find me on YouTube.”
Adding insult to injury, the hackers defaced all the pages on the compromised website, leaving behind visible traces of their unauthorized entry and control.
Regrettably, this is not the first time the Ogun State Government has experienced such a security breach. Back in 2015, cyber terrorists had similarly taken control of the website, urging the state government to bolster its security measures. Evidently, those warnings went unheeded, leading to the recurrence of such an audacious attack.
The Ogun State Government is not alone in facing the wrath of cybercriminals. Various Nigerian government websites have fallen prey to these illicit activities, exposing significant vulnerabilities in their cybersecurity systems. Among the affected agencies are the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and even the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
Upon contacting Kunle Somorin, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Dapo Abiodun, for comment, he expressed ignorance regarding the hack but assured newsmen that the matter would be promptly addressed. “I am not aware of a hack. By who? The cabinet is dissolved at the moment, but I will get across to the social media team. I’m sure they will work on it now,” he responded.
As the Ogun State Government scrambles to regain control of its compromised website, questions arise about the adequacy of security measures employed by government agencies to safeguard sensitive information and ensure uninterrupted access to public services.
It is hoped that this incident will serve as a wake-up call for the authorities to prioritize the strengthening of cybersecurity frameworks and prevent future intrusions into critical government infrastructure.
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