The Defence Headquarters has raised the alarm over an attempted cyberattack on its official X account, warning members of the public to disregard any suspicious, unauthorised or misleading content that may be published through the platform.
The military authorities disclosed the incident on Saturday, August 15, 2026, describing it as an attempted unauthorised compromise of the official social media account. The development has raised concerns over the security of digital platforms used by Nigeria’s military to communicate operational and security-related information to the public.
In a statement issued by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, the Defence Headquarters said it had detected the attempted breach and immediately activated technical measures to secure the account and prevent further unauthorised access.
The military said efforts were ongoing to fully restore control of the account and ensure that its communication channels remained secure.
The Defence Headquarters consequently urged Nigerians, members of the media and other stakeholders to exercise caution and verify information purportedly originating from the affected account until the situation is resolved.
The warning is particularly significant because the DHQ’s social media platforms serve as important channels for disseminating official information concerning military operations, security developments, statements and other activities of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
Reports indicated that unauthorised content appeared on the account during the incident, prompting concerns that members of the public could be misled by information falsely presented as official military communication. Some reports said cryptocurrency-related content was among the material associated with the compromised account.
The incident also highlights the growing cybersecurity risks facing government institutions as official agencies increasingly depend on social media platforms for public communication.
A compromised account belonging to a major national security institution presents a particularly sensitive challenge because false information disseminated through such a platform could potentially cause confusion, undermine public confidence or interfere with security operations.
The Defence Headquarters said it remained committed to maintaining high standards of information security and ensuring that Nigerians receive accurate, timely and credible information about the activities of the Armed Forces.
To maintain uninterrupted communication with the public, the military urged Nigerians to rely on its verified accounts on other platforms, including its Facebook page, Instagram account and WhatsApp Channel, while the X account remains under security review.
The military also appealed for public vigilance, asking Nigerians not to amplify suspicious posts or treat unverified messages appearing on the affected account as official statements.
Cybersecurity experts have increasingly warned that social media accounts belonging to governments, public institutions and high-profile organisations are attractive targets for attackers because of their large audiences and the credibility normally associated with them.
For the Nigerian military, the incident comes at a time when digital communication has become an increasingly important part of national security operations. The ability to rapidly communicate accurate information during security incidents is critical, particularly when misinformation can spread widely within minutes.
The Defence Headquarters has assured the public that further updates will be provided as efforts to secure and restore the account continue.
Until the military confirms that full control has been restored, Nigerians have been advised to exercise caution and verify any information purportedly issued through the DHQ’s X account through other official communication channels.
