Social Media User Arrested for False OPAY Shutdown Notice

Hafsat was arrested by the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre for sharing a false shutdown notice about OPAY Digital Services Limited, which claimed the bank would cease operations in Nigeria starting September 1. The notice caused public panic before OPAY dismissed the rumors.

In a video, Hafsat admitted she did not verify the information before reposting it and expressed regret for her actions. After OPAY alerted her through a notice on social media, she deleted the post and issued a public apology on September 4.

Following her apology, OPAY filed a petition, prompting police action. The police received the petition on August 31, 2026, regarding the fraudulent document that resembled an official corporate notice.

Hafsat was subsequently arrested at her home in Zaria and taken to Abuja for questioning, with the police recovering three mobile phones during the investigation.