Categories
AFNewsNG Logo
Crime Special Report

FUTA student apologises to PREMIUM TIMES for trying to attack website

chuks oti

Aug 11, 2020

mail

The student of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Afolabi Emmanuel, who tried to hack PREMIUM TIMES website in February has apologised to the medium.

READ ALSO: How NDLEA Finally Captured Drug Kingpin Who Killed Three Officers After 12 Years on the Run

Between late February and early March, the hacker, who operated from FUTA, launched massive cyberattacks on PREMIUM TIMES website.

READ ALSO: How Suspects Used Fake Alert to Acquire 75m Mercedes Benz GLE In Kano

The attacks happened days after the newspaper ran a series of stories detailing a power tussle between the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, and the then chief of staff to the President, Abba Kyari.

READ ALSO: Popular Islamic Cleric Found Dead In Zamfara

The attacker's repeated attempts failed as the efforts were blocked by the paper's security experts as well as its external security consultant, Quirium.

READ ALSO: INEC Sued Over 'Missing' 55.9bn 2019 Election Funds

Insiders at FUTA told this newspaper that some experts at the university were hired to identify vulnerabilities on the PREMIUM TIMES website with a view to bringing down the platform.

READ ALSO: Dr. Ogah Hails Senator Akobundu's Service to Abia, Sends Heartfelt Birthday Message

The university management rejected the allegation in a rejoinder saying there was no institutional backing for the attack and that the attacker was being investigated.

READ ALSO: Politicians Seeking Treatment Abroad May Face 7 Years Jail Term, N500m Fine |READ FULL

Its investigation led to the identification of Mr Emmanuel, a final year student of Food Science and Technology, as the mastermind of the attack.

READ ALSO: 'I was trafficked for sex by my best friend'

For committing "an act that constitutes misconduct and misuse of University IT infrastructure,ÔÇØ the university suspended Mr Emmanuel indefinitely, effective March 18.

READ ALSO: Taiwan president takes early lead in election closely watched by China

Mr Emmanuel too, in a statement he sent to PREMIUM TIMES, has admitted been involved in the cyberattack, apologizing for doing so.

READ ALSO: Kalu Mourns Demise Of Olu Of Warri, Ikenwoli, Salutes Olu-Designate Utieyinoritsetsola

"I am apologizing for my actions as I did not mean any harm as I have worked with other companies in the past to fix security vulnerabilities,ÔÇØ he wrote in his apology mail.

READ ALSO: 2023: Peter Obi Reveals The Only Reason Why His Govt May Borrow

"My aim was to find a security vulnerability on Premium Times infrastructure and report it to them, but, unfortunately, I was unable to,ÔÇØ he added, saying "I am deeply sorryÔÇØ for not filing any report about his findings nonetheless.

READ ALSO: 2 Billion Scandal: Inside Gavice Logistics, EFCC's Probe, and the Future of Its CEO

"I hope my apology is accepted and I will be grateful if Quirium and Premium Times are able to put a word out to intervene on my behalf to my school to be more lenient as I will be facing a panel tomorrow (today) at 10 am WAT .

READ ALSO: How NDLEA Uncovered a Massive Lekki Drug Lab and Arrested Its Saudi-Bound Owner | SEE PHOTOS

"To show my remorsefulness, willingness to corporate with the heads and not having a nefarious desire towards the organization, I am offering to work/PenTest for/in Quirium security for 6 months to help secure Premium Times if you are willing to accept,ÔÇØ Mr Emmanuel said.

READ ALSO: How NDLEA Finally Captured Drug Kingpin Who Killed Three Officers After 12 Years on the Run

The management of PREMIUM TIMES is yet to comment on Mr Emmanuel's apology.

Related Stories

""

— chuks oti

Join the Conversation

Signed in as Member