Police arrest suspect over fake shutdown report targeting OPay

The Nigeria Police Force's National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) has apprehended a 27-year-old woman, Hafsat Abubakar, for allegedly fabricating and distributing a forged notice asserting that fintech company OPay Nigeria Limited intended to discontinue its operations. The arrest was announced by the Force Public Relations Officer, Anietie Iniedu, during a press conference at the NPF-NCCC headquarters in Abuja.

Following the issuance of a formal petition by OPay Digital Services Limited on August 31, 2026, the NCCC initiated a digital forensic investigation to trace the origin of the fabricated document and identify those responsible. The document, masquerading as an official communication from OPay Nigeria Limited, was traced to a post on the X account (@haifah_er_abba), managed by Abubakar.

Abubakar was subsequently apprehended on September 4, 2026. The incident underscores the risks associated with disseminating fabricated information, especially when it pertains to prominent financial institutions, which can instill public panic, disrupt financial operations, and tarnish corporate reputations. The police have warned the public to verify the authenticity of sensitive information before sharing it and emphasized that culpable individuals will face prosecution.

OPay, which dismissed the fabricated notice as false, stated that they remain fully operational and are working with the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Police Force to investigate the incident.