The police have named journalist David Hundeyin and one other individual as alleged accomplices in connection with PIDOM, as investigations continue.
According to the Nigeria Police Force, a thorough investigation has uncovered that David Hundeyin, an investigative journalist, and Michael Alade are associated with Bristol Isaac alias PIDOMNigeria.
PIDOMNigeria faced allegations of unlawfully disclosing classified and restricted materials, committing fraudulence, engaging in acts of sedition, as well as evading tax payment.
On Tuesday in Abuja, the Force Spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi stated that PIDOM was apprehended after a complaint from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of Nigeria.
Adejobi stated that during the raid on PIDOM’s hotel by National Cybercrime Centre operatives, he resisted arrest and barricaded himself. Additionally, he damaged his phone and disposed of it in the toilet through flushing.
An anonymous hacker was apprehended by the operatives of the Nigerian Police National Cybercrime Center, as declared by him. This is in connection with alleged criminal conspiracy, offences against the Official Secret Act, leakage of classified and restricted documents, acts likely to cause a breach of public peace sedition fraud and tax evasion.
An investigation was commenced in a discreet manner to discover the individuals accountable for the leak. This led to suspicion falling upon Bristol Isaac, Michael Temidayo Alade, and David Hundeyin as possible perpetrators of the alleged offenses.
National Cybercrime Center detectives arrested Bristol Isaac, the main suspect who attempted to resist arrest, while he was staying at a hotel in Port Harcourt.
“The suspect barricaded himself in the hotel room and destroyed evidence by smashing and flushing his phone. He also refused to divulge his password on account of having forgotten it, which hindered efforts at uncovering vital information. Upon further probing following apprehension, investigators unearthed several dubious dealings linking him with accomplices.”
Furthermore, it has been determined that the accused utilized anonymous methods to acquire funds in support of cyber terrorism and associated unlawful acts.
After a thorough forensic analysis of the suspect’s crypto wallet transactions, evidence was found to support this claim. IG Kayode Egbetokun, The Inspector General of Police, has reinforced their dedication to upholding peace and security while also making it clear that the Nigerian police force will not hesitate to take strict legal action against any individual or group who poses a threat towards national stability. They vow that such groups shall face severe repercussions under full force of law.
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Adejobi added that the suspect had unlawfully obtained access to confidential police records.
According to him, inquiries indicated that the accused was accountable for divulging a highly classified document produced by the Office of the President to the Secretary to Federal Government.
The culprit unlawfully gained access to confidential police records and shared directives from the Office of Inspector General as well as other restricted documents, threatening Nigeria’s security network.
According to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of Nigeria, an unidentified blogger with Twitter handle PIDOM Nigeria shared a restricted document regarding a delicate national security issue, resulting in lodged complaints.
Adejobi stated that the arrest of PIDOM was imperative to safeguard national security and preserve public order.
According to him, the Nigerian Police National Cybercrime Center has effectively identified and captured a man involved in criminal activities that threaten national security and public order. This action was taken with the aim of safeguarding stability within our nation by identifying and apprehending perpetrators of such crimes.
Adejobi stated that when questioned about the police’s pursuit of Hundeyin and Alade, “I’m confident they are diligently investigating to determine how best to apprehend them. They may have issued a formal summons or made contact through alternate means. The approach taken by our team remains unclear.”
“I am certain that now they have identified the suspects, their next step would be to question them for more details. The authorities will take all necessary measures to ensure that all those involved in such crimes are apprehended and thoroughly investigated before being brought to justice.”
Hundeyin sounded the alarm about X regarding PIDOM’s disappearance by sharing message screenshots from an unnamed associate of PIDOM who apprised him of their troubled situation.
