By Isaac Mission
The Nigeria Police Force has arrested a 27-year-old woman, Hafsat Abubakar, over a false notice claiming that fintech company OPay was shutting down its operations.
Abubakar, who is from Zaria, Kaduna State, was taken into custody on September 4 after investigators traced the disputed notice to an X account linked to her.
The development followed the rapid circulation of the alleged shutdown notice online, which reportedly triggered public concern and raised questions about the status of OPay’s operations.
The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) launched an investigation after the information went viral. According to the police, digital forensic analysis and online tracing were used to identify the source of the publication.
Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, said the investigation was aimed at determining where the notice originated and identifying those responsible for circulating it.
Following the digital trail, police operatives reportedly linked the post to Abubakar and subsequently arrested her. Three Apple iPhones were also recovered from her as part of the investigation.
The suspect reportedly admitted publishing the information. She explained that after seeing the notice, she deleted it and issued an apology within the period she had been given to remove the post.
The police are yet to establish whether Abubakar acted alone or had other individuals working with her, as investigations are still ongoing.
The case is being considered under Nigeria’s Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, as amended in 2024. The law criminalises the deliberate transmission of false information through computer systems or networks where such information is intended to cause a breakdown of law and order or create threats to life.
The offence can attract a fine of up to N7 million, imprisonment for up to three years, or both, upon conviction.
The police have also clarified that OPay did not arrest the suspect. According to the authorities, the fintech company reported the matter to the appropriate security agencies after the false information surfaced, after which the police commenced an investigation.
Investigators subsequently traced the source of the publication and arrested the suspect.
The clarification comes amid reactions from some members of the public who had suggested that OPay was responsible for Abubakar’s detention.
Police authorities stressed that the power to investigate, invite or arrest suspects in cybercrime cases rests with the appropriate law-enforcement agencies.
The investigation into the matter is continuing, with the police saying the case will be pursued to its logical conclusion.