By Elvira Jordan
The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre has arrested a 27-year-old woman, Hafsat Abubakar, over the alleged creation and circulation of a forged document claiming that fintech company OPay Nigeria Limited was shutting down its operations.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Anietie Iniedu, disclosed the arrest on Wednesday during a press briefing at the National Cybercrime Centre in Abuja.
According to Iniedu, the investigation followed a formal petition submitted by OPay Digital Services Limited on August 31, 2026, requesting the identification and arrest of those responsible for creating and circulating the document.
He said the cybercrime centre deployed digital forensic tools to analyse the document and trace its source, which police said led investigators to an X account allegedly operated by Abubakar.
Iniedu said police operatives subsequently arrested Abubakar on September 4, 2026.
The police spokesman identified her as a graduate of Library and Information Science from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, but did not disclose further details about the allegations against her beyond the ongoing investigation.
The arrest followed the circulation of a purported OPay notice claiming that the fintech company would shut down its Nigerian operations and cease processing transactions and account-related services.
OPay had previously dismissed the notice as false and assured customers that its operations remained ongoing. The company also said it was cooperating with law enforcement agencies investigating the source of the information.
Iniedu warned members of the public against creating or circulating fabricated digital content, particularly information capable of causing public panic, financial disruption or reputational damage.
He said the investigation was still ongoing and that anyone found culpable would be prosecuted after its conclusion.
