Nigerian Army Recovers Official X Account After Hack Attempt

The Nigerian Army has announced that its official X account, @HQNigerianArmy, has been fully restored and is once again under exclusive official management. This comes after a prolonged recovery process that began with an attempted cyber breach in late August. The account was compromised on August 29, 2026, around 5 pm, prompting immediate technical and protective measures to secure the platform.

The Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, confirmed at the time that the incident was being treated as a cybersecurity breach. The Army advised the public and media to disregard any suspicious, misleading, or unverified content appearing on the account during the period of restricted control. Instead, they were directed to rely on other verified platforms, including Facebook and Instagram accounts under @hqnigerianarmy and @nigerianarmyinfo.

The August incident followed a similar cyberattack on the Defence Headquarters’ X account (@DHQNigeria) earlier that month. The DHQ account was recovered within days and announced its return with a short “WE’RE BACK” message. The Nigerian Army has now reclaimed one of its primary channels for direct public communication on security operations and defence matters.

With the restoration of @HQNigerianArmy now confirmed, the account remains the official verified handle of the Nigerian Army. The Army expressed appreciation for the public's patience and understanding during the recovery process. The incident highlights the ongoing challenges of cybersecurity and the importance of vigilance in protecting sensitive information.

The recovery of the X account is a significant development for the Nigerian Army, enabling it to resume official communications with the public. The Army's efforts to secure its platforms and prevent further unauthorized access demonstrate its commitment to protecting its digital presence.

The incident also underscores the need for organizations to have robust cybersecurity measures in place to prevent and respond to breaches. The Nigerian Army's experience serves as a reminder of the importance of being prepared for cyber threats and taking prompt action to mitigate their impact.

The Nigerian Army's official X account has been fully restored, and the public can once again access official information and updates from the account. The Army's verified platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube channels, remain available for the public to access authentic information.

Key points

• The Nigerian Army's X account was compromised on August 29, 2026, due to a cybersecurity breach.
• The account was recovered after a prolonged recovery process.
• The incident highlights the importance of robust cybersecurity measures to prevent and respond to breaches.