By Akanimo Sampson
Scammers are currently taking advantage of the raging coronavirus pandemic in Nigeria to swindled unsuspecting citizens.
The Federal Government has gotten the tip of the activities of the con artists and has accordingly put Nigerians on notice even as the anti-graft agencies are hunting for the scammers.
The government says an Android-based malicious and fraudulent Coronavirus Ransomware Application, which claims to provide updates on the virus and infections near the user exists.
In a statement in Abuja on Tuesday, Information and Culture Minister, Lai Mohammed, says the Ransomware blocks access to users’ personal data and accounts and threatens deletion, unless users pay $100 in Bitcoin within 48 hours.
The Ransomware App, according to the minister, detected on the website www.coronavirusapp.site, prompts users to download an Android App purportedly for coronavirus map tracking and heat map visuals.
Mohammed points out that the development confirms warnings against cybercriminals seeking to exploit the growing spread of the virus for nefarious gains.
He is, therefore, calling on the general public not to download the Ransomware App and to seek updates on the pandemic only from the appropriate authorities.
Meanwhile, Governor Bala Mohammad of Bauchi State has become the first governor in Nigeria to be infected with the deadly coronavirus, COVID-19.
His Senior Special Assistant on Media, Muktar Gidado, revealed this in a statement on Tuesday.
“This is to inform the general public that the result of the six initial tests carried out by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on Governor Bala Mohammed, his family and aides that accompanied him to Lagos is out.
“Of the six initial tests carried out, one sample was confirmed positive of COVID -19.
“The positive result happened to be that of Governor Mohammed. At this point, it should be noted that the governor is in self-isolation as his doctors and officials from the NCDC have taken full charge of his quarantine” Gidado says.
According to him, the governor is soliciting prayers from all.
Adding, he said the governor specifically requests that all those who had contact with him or anyone is known to have the same medical condition should go for the test immediately in order to avert further spread of the disease.
