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The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) has arrested a woman, Hafsat Abubakar, for circulating a fake notice claiming that OPay Digital Services Limited was shutting down its operations.
Force Spokesperson, Ani Iniedu, in a statement issued on Thursday, said Abubakar was arrested on September 4, 2026, following a digital forensic investigation into the false notice, which reportedly garnered about 572,000 views within minutes of being posted online.
According to the NPF-NCCC, the notice was designed to appear as an official communication from OPay, using the company’s logo, corporate branding, name and a purported management signature and endorsement.
The false notice claimed that the financial technology company was shutting down its operations, a development the police said could mislead members of the public and cause unnecessary concern among customers.
The NPF-NCCC said its operatives began digital forensic analysis and online tracing after the notice was circulated to identify its source and those responsible for disseminating it.
The investigation reportedly traced the publication to the X handle @HAIFAH_ER_ABBA, which was linked to Abubakar.
The police said the suspect later shared the notice through another X account, @CUTE_HAFSERH, where she tagged social media influencers and urged people to “REMOVE YOUR MONEY NOW.”
During preliminary investigation, Abubakar reportedly told investigators that she obtained the notice from a WhatsApp status.
Police recovered three Apple mobile phones from her as exhibits.
The NPF-NCCC said investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances behind the creation and dissemination of the false notice and to establish whether others were involved.
It added that Abubakar and any other person found culpable would be charged to court after the conclusion of investigations.
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, commended the NPF-NCCC operatives for tracing the publication and arresting the suspect.
Disu reiterated the police’s commitment to combating cybercrime, digital fraud, impersonation, and the circulation of false information through digital platforms.
The Force also urged members of the public to verify information concerning financial institutions and services through their official communication channels before acting on it.
It advised the public to report suspicious online activities to appropriate law-enforcement authorities.
NPF–NCCC ARRESTS SUSPECT OVER VIRAL FALSE OPAY SHUTDOWN NOTICE
The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) has traced the circulation of a false notice purporting to be an official communication from OPay Digital Services Limited and falsely announcing the… pic.twitter.com/l6A5LMjttf
— Nigeria Police Force (@PoliceNG) September 10, 2026
