On July 2, 2025, First City Monument Bank (FCMB) staff in Abuja uncovered an audacious hacking attempt when they found a man tampering with computer systems after hiding inside the branch’s restroom overnight.
The suspect, who entered the bank as a routine customer, locked himself in the toilet during working hours and later climbed into the ceiling void to evade detection.
According to gwg.ng, bank employees arrived the next morning to discover the restroom door secured from within. Forced entry revealed the intruder atop the ceiling, and nearby workstations displayed a “restarting, click OK to accept” prompt on their screens . Security guards and FCMB personnel immediately restrained him before law enforcement agents arrived on the scene.
An anonymous FCMB security officer described the dramatic moment:
“A customer entered our FCMB branch in Secretariat yesterday, went straight to the toilet and locked himself there, then climbed inside the ceiling. When he noticed that all staff had gone, he came down and tried to hack all the systems. It started showing ‘restarting, click OK to accept’ as soon as we regained control.”
Video of the arrest, which shows the suspect being dragged out and beaten by onlookers, quickly went viral and sparked intense debate on social media.
Critics lambasted FCMB’s lax physical security measures, while others condemned the apparent use of excessive force by security operatives. Human rights advocates called for proper interrogation procedures, warning that vital technical intelligence could be lost if suspects are mistreated.
This incident highlights growing concerns over bank cybersecurity and insider threats. Experts note that while digital firewalls are essential, physical access controls and rigorous CCTV monitoring remain critical in preventing such brazen break-ins.
FCMB has since announced a full review of its security protocols, pledging to upgrade restroom locks, reinforce ceiling panels, and enhance staff training on overnight emergency response.
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