NPF-NCCC Arrests Suspect Over False OPay Shutdown Notice

The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) arrested Hafsat Abubakar for circulating a false notice claiming that OPay Digital Services Limited was shutting down its operations. The notice, which appeared official with OPay's logo and branding, misled the public and caused unnecessary concern among customers.

CSP Anietie Iniedu, the Force Public Relations Officer, stated that the NPF-NCCC began a digital forensic analysis to trace the source of the notice after it gained approximately 572,000 views shortly after being posted. The investigation linked the notice to Abubakar's X handle, @HAIFAH_ER_ABBA, where she shared it and tagged social media influencers, urging them to "REMOVE YOUR MONEY NOW." Abubakar was arrested on September 4, 2026, and three Apple mobile phones were recovered as evidence.

Ongoing investigations aim to uncover further details regarding the creation and dissemination of the false notice. IGP Olatunji Disu commended the NPF-NCCC for their swift action and reiterated the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to combat cybercrime.