Enugu contractor apprehended for ₦1b fraud

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has announced the arrest of a contractor accused of orchestrating a ₦1.09 billion procurement fraud in Enugu State.  

This update was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday by the NPF Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi.

The clarification comes in response to reports suggesting that the Enugu State government’s account was hacked, resulting in the alleged theft of ₦1.09 billion. The NPF, however, debunked those claims, stating that the case involved procurement fraud, not a cyber breach.

According to the police, the stolen funds have been successfully recovered following the contractor’s arrest.

“The Nigerian Police Force hereby categorically dismiss the false narrative and rumour circulating online about an alleged hack of the Enugu State Government’s official account, resulting in the theft of N1.09 billion.

“This assertion is completely unfounded. There has been no hacking of the Enugu State Government’s account, and the allegations of theft amounting to N1.09 billion are entirely baseless.

“The case, which was investigated by the NPF-National Cyber Crime Centre (NCCC), was a case of procurement fraud, not a cyber-breach.

“The suspect has been arrested in connection with this fraud, and the funds have already been recovered.

“The Enugu State Government and other ministries, departments, and agencies of government and corporate firms are in partnership with the NCCC and have established comprehensive and fortified security protocols to safeguard their financial systems.

“Citizens are hereby encouraged to refrain from engaging in misinformation and to always verify the credibility of news sources,” the statement said.