Man caught hiding in FCMB ceiling overnight in alleged hack attempt

A man was caught hiding inside the ceiling of a First City Monument Bank (FCMB) branch overnight after trying to hack the bank’s systems.

The incident happened on Sunday, June 30, 2025, at one of FCMB’s branches. According to staff, the man entered during business hours pretending to be a customer. Instead of doing any banking, he went to the restroom, locked himself in, and climbed into the ceiling. He stayed hidden there until the bank closed for the day.

The next morning, employees found the restroom door locked from inside. When they forced it open, they discovered the man tampering with the bank’s computer systems. Some computers showed unusual messages like “restarting, click OK to accept,” suggesting he was trying to access sensitive data.

The man was quickly caught and removed, but footage of the arrest went viral online. Many Nigerians questioned how he managed to sneak in and hide unnoticed, raising concerns about the bank’s security measures and surveillance. Some social media users suspected he had inside help, saying it would be impossible to locate the ceiling space and computer systems without guidance.

There was also strong public criticism about how the man was treated after being caught. Videos showed security guards and police officers beating him, leading to calls for more humane handling of suspects and better police professionalism.

This case shows serious gaps in bank security and the urgent need for improved surveillance and protocols to protect customer data. FCMB and law enforcement have yet to issue official statements, but the incident has sparked nationwide discussion about cybercrime risks and security standards in Nigerian banks.