Solomon Aigbenoke, Abuja
The Voice of Nigeria (VON) has said that it has launched an investigation into a possible cyber breach after an erroneous report on its website falsely claimed Nigeria’s Super Falcons had lost the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final against Morocco before the match had concluded.
The incorrect story, published late on Saturday, 26th July, sparked widespread confusion before being swiftly retracted, as Nigeria went on to secure a dramatic 3-2 victory to claim a record extending tenth title.
In an official statement, VON’s Director General, Mallam Jibrin Baba Ndace, described the incident as “deeply regrettable” and assured the public that the broadcaster was treating the matter with the utmost seriousness.
“While initial findings suggest an internal lapse, we are also exploring the possibility of a security breach or unauthorised access to our systems. As a public institution, we must consider all angles, including potential cyber interference”, he said.
The false report, which circulated briefly on VON’s digital platforms, claimed Morocco had defeated Nigeria 2-0 in the final, a claim that was quickly debunked as the Super Falcons staged a thrilling comeback.
Football fans and media observers expressed shock at the error, with many questioning how such a premature and inaccurate story could have been published by a national broadcaster.
“We sincerely apologise for the misinformation and the distress it may have caused,” Ndace stated. “The integrity of our journalism is non-negotiable, and we are taking immediate steps to prevent a recurrence.”
He emphasised that no single staff member was being blamed at this stage, noting that the incident had instead highlighted the need for stronger institutional safeguards.
A source within VON, who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed that the reporter linked to the story had been unreachable for several hours after the incident, fuelling speculation about possible external interference.
Meanwhile, VON has announced immediate reforms to its editorial processes, including the establishment of a dedicated Fact-Checking Unit and a Monitoring and Evaluation Team to scrutinise content before publication. “We are reinforcing our protocols to ensure that breaking news, especially on high-stakes events, undergoes stricter verification,” Ndace said.
Ndace reiterated VON’s commitment to upholding public trust. “We thank Nigerians for their patience and feedback,” he said. “This incident has reinforced our resolve to strengthen our platforms and ensure that our reporting remains accurate, reliable, and worthy of the audience we serve.”
For now, VON’s priority is restoring confidence—both in its systems and its audience. As one staff member put it: “We owe it to the public to get this right. Journalism is about truth, and we won’t let this mistake define us.”
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