The official X account of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which boasted over 2.2 million followers, has disappeared from the platform. Multiple sources reported the disappearance on August 15, 2024, sparking speculation and concerns about the security of the Nigerian government’s digital assets.
The account, which is the main channel for the EFCC to communicate its public service activities, updates and announcements, now returns a message stating that “This account does not exist.” This development comes on the heels of threats from a group of suspected online scammers, colloquially known as “Yahoo Boys”, who has declared cyberwar against the anti-graft agency. These threats were posted on various online forums, including Reddit, as a response to the EFCC’s recent crackdown on internet fraud across university campuses and hotels.
Dele Oyewale, the EFCC’s chief spokesperson, confirmed that the account had been inaccessible for three days, and attributed the problem to “network problem.” He reassured the public that the agency’s IT department was working to restore the account. However, this explanation did little to quell rumors and theories circulating on social media, with some users suggesting that the account may have been hacked or that there may have been an internal issue with account management.
The timing of the account’s disappearance has led to widespread speculation. Some X users have suggested that phishing threats may have played a role, although there is no direct evidence linking cyber threats to the account deletion. Others have speculated about a technical glitch or even a deliberate deactivation due to a policy violation, although there has been no official statement from X confirming such actions.
The incident comes as the EFCC is under scrutiny for its anti-fraud methods on the internet, with critics saying its tactics infringe on civil liberties. The disappearance of the agency’s X account therefore raises questions not only about cybersecurity but also about the transparency and communication strategies of government agencies in the digital age.
While the EFCC’s other social media platforms, such as Instagram and its official website, remain operational, the loss of X’s presence is significant, as X serves as a major battleground for public opinion and information dissemination in Nigeria. The situation highlights the vulnerability of digital assets to external threats and internal mismanagement.
