FG disowns free Internet promises, COVID-19 donations - As Germany donates €5.5 million to Nigeria

The Nigerian Communications Commission has warned Nigerians, especially telecoms consumers, not to fall prey to a fraudulent message being spread on the Internet by a fraudulent website.

The commission, in a statement on Thursday, identified the fake website as https://covid-19-fg-grant.blogspot.com/?=1, saying it was asking Nigerians to apply for a free Internet bundle, claiming it was being given by the Nigerian government in collaboration with NCC.

The website asked Nigerians to apply for free Internet by clicking a web link, which automatically led to a webpage with a dialogue box where they were expected to fill in their bio data and other demographics.

The commission said, “NCC wishes to state categorically that neither the Nigerian government nor the commission has issued such a message to Nigerian citizens.

In a related development, the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning has denied circulating a letter calling for donations to fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

The ministry said the letter titled, ‘Donations so far for the fight against COVID-19 in Nigeria’ with reference number FMF/HMF/S-EFFE-REC/2020/1 and dated March 28, 2020 was fake and an attempt to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.

The ministry said this in a statement issued by the Special Adviser, Media and Communications to the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Yunusa Abdullahi.

Meanwhile, the German Mission in Nigeria has pledged €5.5m to the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund, says the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Nigeria.

This is coming as the West-African country grapples with the attendant effects of economic shocks as a result of the coronavirus pandemic which has paralysed most activities in the country while infecting over 170 people with two deaths.

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Nigeria announcing on its Twitter handle, @OCHANigeria, said the donation by Germany would help vulnerable persons in Nigeria have access to potable water, food and shelter amidst the crisis.

UNOCHA Nigeria tweeted, “Germany pledges €5.5m to the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund. It’s more critical than ever for vulnerable people to have access to clean water, food & shelter.

“This will enable partners to continue delivering life-saving aid amidst COVID-19.”