Boko Haram Leaks Data of Nigeria's Top Spies

Nigeria's Islamist terror sect Boko Haram has allegedly changed tactics from bombings to cybercrime with its latest assault - releasing online the personnel records of the country's top spies.

The personal data of more than 60 staff at the State Security Service (SSS), including home addresses and names of immediate family, were dumped online along with a threatening message from Boko Haram.

The SSS has waged a deadly campaign against the sect, which wants to impose Sharia or Islamic law over Africa's most populous country.

The leaks have alarmed analysts who have asked whether agents are too compromised from within to beat Boko Haram.

"This is a national embarrassment," one official told AP.

"I was shocked to see my details posted on the internet," said one former agent. "I've not heard anything from anybody. I was surprised that such information could be leaked."

Among those exposed in the list are former and current agents across the country, including director-general Ekpeyong Ita.

Some experts suggested that the list may have come from the agency's pension department as it included retirees.

"It's worrying that they have access to that," said another agent, who lived in the predominantly Christian south of the country. "Those living in Abuja [and the north] are the ones who should be living in fear."