The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has denied claims that the account of the Enugu state government was hacked.

There were reports that Osita Onuma, a suspected cyber criminal, infiltrated the financial system of the Enugu state government and stole about N1,097,700,300 from the account.

In a statement on Friday, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, force public relations officer, said the report is false and “completely unfounded”.

“There has been no hacking of the Enugu State Government’s account, and the allegations of a theft amounting to N1.09 billion are entirely baseless,” the statement reads.

“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 Department of State Services has arrested a 32-year-old blogger, identified as Augustus, for cloning its official website and posting a fake recruitment notice.

The suspect, from Akwa Ibom State, was apprehended on Thursday at his residence on Akpan Eno Lane in Abak.

According to DSS sources, Augustus, a graduate of the University of Uyo and a content creator, cloned the agency’s website to deceive unsuspecting Nigerians into believing the DSS was conducting a recruitment exercise.

“Augustus, a native of Abak Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State, was tracked and arrested by our operatives on Thursday at his residence.

“He claimed to be a graduate of the University of Uyo, a blogger, and a content creator. Augustus had cloned the DSS website, where he created a fake online recruitment notice, seemingly with the intent to defraud unsuspecting members of the public,” the source stated.

An anonymous source commented, “One Augustus was arrested on Thursday at his residence. His actions were aimed at defrauding the public.”

The fake notice was flagged as false by the DSS, which quickly issued a warning to Nigerians not to fall victim to such fraudulent activities.

Augustus is expected to be arraigned in court soon to face charges related to his alleged activities.

The Lagos State Government has demolished structures obstructing drainage systems along the Langbasa-Jehovah Witness-Ramota drainage alignment in Langbasa and on Orchid Road, both in Eti-Osa Local Government Area.

The demolition exercise was carried out by the Drainage Enforcement and Compliance Department of the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources.

This operation is part of the state’s ongoing efforts to ensure the free flow of rainwater and reduce flooding risks in Eti-Osa and other parts of Lagos.

The update was announced by Tokunbo Wahab, Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, through a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Thursday.

“Earlier today, the operatives of the Drainage Enforce and Compliance Department of the Ministry commenced removal of contraventions along Langbasa-Jehovah witness-Ramot Giwa drainage alignment, Langbasa, Eti-Osa LGA, and also contraventions along Orchid road,” Wahab’s post read in part.

The commissioner’s post was accompanied by two video clips showing a bulldozer tearing down structures, including perimeter fences, a standalone column, and a small building. Additionally, pictures shared in the post highlighted the aftermath of the demolition, revealing cleared areas where the contravening structures once stood.