Niger Republic: Hacktivists attack MTN Nigeria in defense of coup leaders

By Ologeh Joseph Chibu

Supportets of leaders of the coup in Niger made desperate attempts to bring down MTN servers this week, authorities in the multibillion Naira communication company told Irohinoodua on Friday

The attempt was made to hack and shut down MTN Nigeria’s network by Pro-Nigerien hackers

A group based in Sudan, Anonymous Sudan claimed responsibility in its online messages

The group claim to support the coup plotters in Niger Republic and targeted Nigeria for planning to attack the landlocked West African country.

Our correspondent received credible sources in the telecommunication firm, who said there were multiple attempts by the hackers to access MTN’s network but none was successful.

On Wednesday, the hacktivist group, Anonymous Sudan, laid claim to have launched a cyber attack against MTN Nigeria as a response to Nigeria’s proposed military intervention in Niger.

There are some 10million Hausa people in Sudan many of who are believed to be from Nigeria and Niger Republic. Many of them are believed to be sympathetic to the coup plotters in Niger.

Anonymous Sudan said in its Telegram channel said, “We claim full responsibility for this attack because of Nigeria’s government actions against Niger.

“They are attempting to cut power and are willing to participate in the French colonialistic planned invasion of Niger.”

In response to the hacktivist an official told Punch Newspapers that “It is true, but they didn’t successfully hack us. They attempted to. They said it was because of Nigeria’s stance against Niger Republic; that it was their way of getting back and they are trying to shut down the network in Nigeria.

“They made several attempts but the firewalls around our system are massive. To take it down, you would need to do a lot. There were one or two glitches, but it didn’t affect us. They tried it yesterday (Wednesday).”

The sources emphasized that MTN will continually invest and upgrade its cyber security system and increase the efficiency and effect of its firewalls.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, a warning was issued as a hack breach was detected by the Computer Emergency Readiness and Response Team of the National Information Technology Development Agency which was targeted at government digital services.

“The hacktivist group, known for its politically and religiously motivated cyber campaigns, poses a significant risk to our critical information infrastructure.”
It said Telecommunication providers, financial service providers and relevant government service providers were advised by the agency to improve and be cyber security ready.

Niger has a population of 25million with combined security operatives of 12million compared with Nigeria’s 235,000 soldiers.