Foreign Affairs Ministry Alerts On Fake Social Media Accounts Impersonating Perm. Sec.
By Alice Etuka, Abuja
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has raised alarm over the operation of fake social media accounts on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram, which fraudulently impersonate Ambassador Dunoma Ahmed, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry.
Spokesperson to the Ministry, Kimiebi Ebienfa announced this in a statement on Friday.
Ebienfa said the fraudulent accounts were being used to solicit personal favours, financial gains, and other dubious activities such as fake promises of contract awards, etc., from unsuspecting members of the public, and they are aimed at tarnishing the reputation and integrity of the Office of the Permanent Secretary.
“The Ministry wishes to state that the Permanent Secretary, Ambassador Dunoma Umar Ahmed, DOES NOT own or operate any personal social media accounts for official or professional purposes. All official communications from the Office of the Permanent Secretary are disseminated through the Ministry’s verified channels, including its official website (www.foreignaffairs.gov.ng) and official social media handles.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Ministry wishes to poignantly reiterate the fact that the Permanent Secretary will never promise or make offers of contract awards or solicit funds & personal favours through social media or unverified channels.
“Therefore, the diplomatic community and the general public are hereby advised to exercise utmost caution and disregard any communication or request from these fake accounts, and report any such fake accounts or impersonation attempts to the relevant social media platforms for immediate takedown and to the Nigerian Police Force via the Cybercrime Unit”, the statement said.
Ebienfa further disclosed that the Ministry was working with the relevant security and regulatory agencies for a thorough investigation and to bring the perpetrators to justice.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria remains committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and transparency in its operations and will not tolerate actions aimed at defrauding citizens and undermining public trust” he said.
