Fejiro Hanu, CEO of Nigeria's local crypto exchange, Patricia, has refuted rumors of its closure, dismissing them as a media strategy for more views. Hanu confirmed that the exchange is still operational.

After facing criticism due to a hacking incident in May 2023 that resulted in a loss of customer funds, Patricia Technologies assured users that their funds were secure. However, customers have been experiencing difficulties accessing their funds since April 2023, leading to speculation about a possible exit scam.

To address customer concerns, Patricia decided to convert customer assets into its native Patricia Token (PTK) to ensure future repayment. The CEO emphasized the company's dedication to trust and customer integrity by introducing PTK as an internal customer asset.

In response to inquiries from users, Hanu reassured customers that Patricia is working diligently to address the security breach. The company is awaiting the resolution of the case involving other suspects and ensuring that justice is served.

A recent arrest in November 2023 linked to the Patricia crypto wallet heist involved politician Wilfred Bonse, accused of stealing over 200 million naira ($246,153) from Patricia Technologies' crypto wallet. The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) reported that the case encompasses criminal activities such as conspiracy, unauthorized manipulation of computer systems, and illicit fund diversion.

For further insights into crypto hacks, you can refer to the Cointelegraph magazine article "Lazarus Group’s favorite exploit revealed — Crypto hacks analysis."