A spate of cyber-attacks that hit supermarket chains across at least 10 European countries on Monday has prompted European Union officials to warn of a deliberate attempt to disrupt the food supply chain.

Supermarkets have reported problems in Belgium, Estonia, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Germany and Sweden, and the significant increase in freezer temperatures has forced retailers to discard food.

Temperatures in chains across Europe reportedly rose as high as 50C (122F).

No-one has yet admitted carrying out the cyber-attacks.

Supermarket chains said the temperatures of refrigerators and freezers in some of their shops soared as high as 50C
The European Union has raised concerns about the attacks, which come three weeks after a cyber-attack disrupted as many as 700 French grocery stores, causing food losses estimated at tens of millions of euros.

The security of refrigeration systems as well as other devices that can be monitored remotely has heightened concerns about government-backed hybrid attacks.

The EU’s food and agriculture commissioner, Christophe Hansen, said the bloc was taking the incidents very seriously and warned of further disruption in the future.

Commission spokesman Thomas Regnier was careful not to attribute blame, but said: “These incidents of course show once again how cyber-attacks can disrupt essential services and affect citizens’ daily lives.”

“These are not isolated incidents and of course we have to be collectively resilient and prepared for such cyber incidents.”

The Ondo State Security Network Agency, also known as Amotekun Corps, has launched a new security initiative, ‘Operation Laafia DanDan,’ as well as the deployment of 1,200 operatives across the 18 local government areas of the state in order to ensure safety ahead of Yuletide.

The Commander of the Corps, Adetunji Adeleye, in the state disclosed the move during the parade of 15 suspected criminals at the Amotekun headquarters in Alagbaka, Akure, Ondo State capital.

According to him, the new security initiative will involve intelligence-led surveillance across all major roads and metropolitan areas as well as patrols by Amotekun Rangers in forest reserves.

The commander emphasized that the safety of lives and property, for both residents and those commuting through the state, is the paramount objective.

During the parade of the suspects, Adetunji identified the arrests of three individuals linked to the kidnapping of a poultry farmer and the murder of a lady about a few months ago.

The commander confirmed that the victim had identified the suspects, who have also confessed to the crime.

Adetunji noted that the arrests demonstrate that Ondo State is not a place where criminality can thrive, with a vow to go after kidnappers operating within the state.

He said, “We were able to apprehend the three major kidnappers that actually kidnapped the poultryman and killed the lady. They are with us today. The victim had identified them, and the suspects had also confessed to the crime.

“This goes a long way in showing that Ondo State is not a place where criminality could thrive. In more specific terms, the four people arrested and that have since confessed to the kidnapping of the suspects are Ali Tati, Yusuf Tati, Sadiq, and Moshud.

“The first three were those that are directly involved in the Ondo kidnapping. That was about two months ago. There is also Mohamed that was arrested in connection with the kidnapping in Ala-Dada.

“Usman and Suleiman were arrested for violating anti-grazing laws of Ondo State in Elegbeka. On burglary and stealing, we have a 26-year-old Peter and a Lawal 26 and Gabriel for stealing. There is this 40-year-old that specializes in stealing TVs and phones. We have since recovered all the stolen items from them.

“On looting of government schools in Ile-Oluji and Elegbeka. we have Dada 26, Seyi 24, Hassan 22, Sunday 19 that were caught red-handed while removing the roof.

Operatives of the Ondo State Police Command have busted a suspected counterfeit currency printing operation in Kiniso Village, Ajue, in the Odigbo Local Government Area of the State.

The operation led to the arrest of one suspect and the recovery of three bags of suspected counterfeit United States dollar notes and other materials believed to be connected to the illicit activity.

Speaking on the operation, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Abayomi Jimoh, stressed that the operation was carried out following a complaint lodged by one Yusuf Nasiru of Sabo, Okitipupa.

According to the police spokesperson, the complainant reported that two men, identified as Peter Desmond and Olami Toro, both residents of Ode-Irele, had approached him at his shop inquiring about exchanging United States dollars for their naira equivalent.

He said, “The complainant stated that he handed over the sum of $6,000, valued at approximately ₦8,600,000, to the men.

“However, while waiting to receive the naira equivalent, the suspects allegedly returned the dollars to him, claiming they did not have sufficient funds to complete the transaction, and subsequently left.

“The complainant later discovered, upon closer examination, that the dollar notes returned to him were counterfeit, prompting him to report the incident to the police.”

Jimoh said upon receipt of the complaint, operatives from the Okitipupa Divisional Headquarters swiftly commenced discreet investigation, adding that through intelligence gathering and tracking, the team traced one of the suspects, Peter Desmond, to Kiniso Village.

“Acting on credible intelligence received from members of the community, the operatives proceeded to the identified location on 29th October 2026 and raided the suspected hideout believed to be used for the production and printing of counterfeit dollar notes intended to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.

“During the operation, one suspect was arrested, while other occupants of the premises escaped through the perimeter fence. A search of the premises led to the recovery of three bags containing suspected counterfeit United States dollar notes and a small wooden box, all of which were taken into police custody as exhibits. The arrested suspect has given useful information that is assisting the investigation.

“The Commissioner of Police, Ondo State Command, CP Felix Ohagwu, has directed that the investigation be intensified to identify and apprehend all other persons connected to the criminal operation, unravel the full extent of the suspected counterfeit currency network, and ensure that all those found culpable are brought to justice,” the PPRO stated.