The Nigerian Army has fully restored its official X account, @HQNigerianArmy. The restoration followed efforts to resolve unauthorised access reported on 29 August 2026. The Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, issued a statement on Sunday in Abuja. She said administrative control had been fully reinstated. The Army can resume regular updates on its activities, operations and institutional developments.
Nigerian security agencies have struggled to secure their social media accounts. In 2021, the Nigeria Police Force’s X account was briefly compromised. In 2022, the Department of State Services warned of fake accounts impersonating its officials. In 2024, the Army’s Twitter handle posted unauthorised content before being secured. Each incident raises questions about digital hygiene and the capacity of security agencies to protect the platforms they use to communicate with the public. The current breach lasted more than two months. The Army did not explain how the account was compromised. It did not say whether anyone was arrested or disciplined.
Anele said the recovery demonstrated the Army’s commitment to securing its digital communication platforms. She thanked Nigerians, media organisations and stakeholders for their patience. She acknowledged their cooperation in obtaining credible information through alternative platforms. She urged the public to reconnect with and follow the restored account for timely, authentic and verified information. She reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to transparent communication and public trust.
The statement is a standard corporate response. It projects control and gratitude. It does not address the substantive questions. Who gained unauthorised access? How did they do it? Was any misinformation posted during the breach? Did the Army investigate? Was anyone held accountable? The public does not know. The Army has not said.
The timing matters. The breach was reported on 29 August. It was resolved in November. That is over two months. During that period, the Army’s official voice on X was silent. Alternative platforms carried updates. The public relied on them. The gap created space for fake accounts. The Army did not say whether it detected or removed any fake accounts.
Winners: The Army, which regained control. Cybersecurity advisers, who fixed the breach. The public, if the account is now secure. Losers: The attackers, who lost access. The Army’s reputation, which suffered during the silence. The public, which was left without verified information for weeks. Taxpayers, if the breach required costly remediation. Digital platforms, which remain vulnerable to similar attacks.
Bottom Line: The Army has its account back. The breach is closed. The questions are open. Two months of silence is a long time. The Army must explain what happened. Restoring an account is easy. Restoring trust requires transparency.