Early Tuesday morning, hackers infiltrated the official X account of the Tanzania Police Force. The breach caused panic after false reports claimed President Samia Suluhu Hassan had died. The compromised account, which has over 468,000 followers, was used to spread misinformation and even host a live video broadcast.
The hackers gained access and immediately posted alarming messages. They falsely announced the president’s death, leading to widespread confusion. Shortly after, they streamed a live session, further fueling speculation. The account’s last legitimate post had been on May 17, 2025.
Authorities quickly reacted. The Ministry of Information urged citizens to ignore the misleading posts. Officials locked the account and removed all unauthorized content. Meanwhile, cybersecurity experts launched an investigation to trace the attackers.
The timing of the hack raised concerns. Just a day earlier, President Suluhu had warned against foreign interference in Tanzania’s affairs. Her remarks followed the deportation of several Kenyan human rights activists who attempted to attend opposition leader Tundu Lissu’s court hearing.
Many Tanzanians expressed outrage over the breach. Citizens questioned the police force’s digital security measures. Some feared that sensitive law enforcement data might have been compromised. Others worried about the growing trend of cyberattacks targeting government institutions.
The Tanzania Police Force assured the public that efforts were underway to track down the perpetrators. Officials vowed to strengthen cybersecurity protocols to prevent future incidents. Meanwhile, digital experts warned that such attacks could become more frequent if security systems remain vulnerable.
