BY TAIBAT UMMI YAKUBU

The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) has arrested a 27-year-old woman, Hafsat Abubakar, for allegedly creating and circulating a forged document that falsely claimed fintech giant OPay was shutting down its operations in Nigeria.

The suspect was arrested on September 4 following investigations into a viral social media post that sparked widespread concern among OPay users and reportedly led some customers to withdraw funds from the platform over fears of an imminent shutdown.

Police authorities disclosed the arrest during a press briefing in Abuja, describing the incident as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by misinformation and digitally fabricated content in an increasingly technology-driven economy.

According to the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Anietie Iniedu, the investigation began after OPay Digital Services Limited submitted a formal petition to the Nigeria Police Force on August 31, requesting urgent action against those behind the publication.

The company alleged that the forged document was falsely presented as an official statement from OPay Nigeria Limited and was deliberately designed to mislead the public.

Iniedu said cybercrime investigators immediately launched a forensic analysis of the publication and successfully traced its origin to an X (formerly Twitter) account allegedly operated by Abubakar.

“On the 31st of August 2026, the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre received a formal petition from OPay Digital Services Limited through the office of the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Abuja, requesting urgent investigation, tracing and apprehension of persons responsible for the creation and circulation of a fraudulent document falsely presented as an official communication issued by OPay Nigeria Limited,” he said.

He explained that digital forensic tools deployed by investigators linked the viral publication to the suspect’s social media account.

“Upon receipt of the approved petition, the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre deployed digital forensic tools to analyse the content, which was traced to a post on an X handle operated by Hafsat Abubakar,” he added.

The police spokesperson disclosed that operatives of the cybercrime centre arrested the suspect on September 4.

“Police operatives of the NPF-NCCC arrested one Hafsat Abubakar, a 27-year-old female graduate of Library and Information Science from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State,” Iniedu said.

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Authorities said investigations are continuing and assured that anyone found culpable in the creation or dissemination of the false publication would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

The police also urged Nigerians to verify sensitive information through official channels before sharing or acting on it, warning that misinformation could have serious consequences for businesses, institutions and public confidence.

The arrest followed a petition submitted by OPay to security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS), after a viral message claimed the fintech company would cease operations in Nigeria from September 1.

The publication advised customers to withdraw their funds before the supposed closure date, creating anxiety among users and prompting concerns about the potential impact on the financial system.

Earlier, OPay’s Chief Legal Counsel, Akinfolabi Rokosu, had described the publication as false and potentially damaging, warning that it could erode public trust in digital financial services and expose customers to unnecessary panic.

He stressed that OPay remained fully operational in Nigeria and vowed that those responsible for originating and spreading the misinformation would face legal consequences.

The company, which operates in Nigeria, Indonesia, Egypt and Pakistan, has emerged as one of Africa’s largest fintech platforms, with Nigeria serving as its biggest market.

According to the company’s 2025 audited financial statements, Nigeria accounted for more than 88 per cent of OPay’s total revenue, underscoring the country’s importance to its operations.

The financial technology firm also recorded rapid growth in transaction volumes, processing a Gross Transaction Value of approximately $358 billion in 2025, more than double the figure recorded the previous year.

The latest development highlights growing concerns over the impact of fake online publications on businesses and financial institutions, as authorities intensify efforts to combat cyber-enabled misinformation capable of triggering economic disruption and public panic.