Suspected hackers have targeted the WhatsApp account of the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate for Benue South, Dr. Francis Ottah Agbo, with screenshots purportedly from the compromised account circulating online.
The development emerged after an urgent notice announced that Ottah’s WhatsApp account had reportedly been hacked and warned members of the public against acting on messages emanating from the account.
In screenshots seen by IDOMA VOICE, a WhatsApp status bearing the name “Francis Ottah Agbo” appeared to contain messages requesting financial assistance. One of the posts read: “Link up with your twin brother so that you and him will send me N1m or N500k. I am stranded. I am supposed to join the Governor for Thank you tour tomorrow by 7:00 am. But I am still in Abuia.” Another status posted minutes apart read: “Want to leave now if I get the money.”
The posts have raised concerns that those behind the alleged hacking may be attempting to solicit money from contacts and associates of the senatorial candidate by impersonating him.
Ottah’s camp subsequently issued an urgent warning, advising supporters, friends, associates and members of the public to disregard messages, requests, announcements or other information coming from the affected account until further notice.
“The WhatsApp account of Dr. Francis Ottah Agbo, APC Senatorial Candidate, has reportedly been hacked. Members of the public, supporters, friends, and well-wishers are hereby advised to disregard any messages, requests, announcements, or information emanating from the affected WhatsApp account until further notice. Please do not send money, personal information, or respond to suspicious requests from the account,” the notice stated.
The public has also been advised to await further communication through verified channels before responding to any message purportedly coming from Ottah.
The incident comes as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 elections, with Ottah seeking to represent Benue South Senatorial District on the platform of the APC. It was not immediately clear at the time of filing this report who was behind the alleged compromise of the account or whether any individual had sent money in response to the messages.
