The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has alerted the general public to the activities of online fraudsters operating fake social media accounts under the name and image of its Chief Executive, Gbenga Komolafe.
In a detailed statement issued by the Commission, it was made clear that Komolafe does not maintain or manage any personal or official accounts on popular social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or LinkedIn. The agency cautioned Nigerians to exercise extreme vigilance and refrain from engaging with any pages or individuals claiming to represent the NUPRC boss, as such accounts are entirely fraudulent.
According to the Commission, these fake accounts have been used by cybercriminals to deceive unsuspecting members of the public, solicit money, and spread false information purportedly linked to the Commission or its leadership. It emphasized that any communication, request, or announcement made through these channels should be disregarded.
“For the sake of clarity, the Chief Executive of the Commission has no social media accounts. Members of the public are therefore strongly advised not to interact with or respond to any such fraudulent pages to avoid being defrauded,” the statement read in part.
The NUPRC noted that the agency has intensified its efforts to trace and identify those behind the impersonation scam, working with relevant security and cybercrime units to ensure the culprits are brought to justice. The Commission described the act as a deliberate attempt to tarnish its reputation and undermine public trust in the nation’s petroleum regulatory framework.
It further stressed that all official announcements, publications, or updates from the NUPRC are disseminated strictly through its verified communication channels, including its official website — www.nuprc.gov.ng — and recognised social media handles duly managed by the Commission’s Media and Strategic Communications Department.
The statement reiterated the Commission’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and public safety, assuring Nigerians that it will continue to protect citizens from fraudulent activities associated with its name or management.
Members of the public were encouraged to report any suspicious social media pages, messages, or online solicitations related to the NUPRC or its officials to law enforcement agencies or directly to the Commission’s official contact channels.
The NUPRC reaffirmed that it remains focused on its core mandate of ensuring effective regulation of Nigeria’s upstream petroleum sector, promoting operational excellence, and safeguarding the interests of stakeholders across the energy value chain.
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