The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) has arrested a 27-year-old woman, Hafsat Abubakar, over the alleged creation and circulation of a forged document claiming that OPay Nigeria Limited was shutting down its operations.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Anietie Iniedu, disclosed this on Wednesday during a press briefing at the NPF-NCCC in Abuja.
Iniedu said the arrest followed a formal petition filed by OPay Digital Services Limited on August 31, 2026, through the office of the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Abuja.
According to him, the company requested an urgent investigation, tracing and arrest of those responsible for creating and circulating the fraudulent document.
He said the document was falsely presented as an official communication from OPay.
“On the 31st of August 2026, the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre, NCCC, 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 simulation of a fraudulent document falsely presented as an official communication issued by OPay Nigeria Limited,” Iniedu said.
The FPRO said the NCCC subsequently deployed digital forensic tools to analyse the document and trace its source.
He said the investigation linked the fake notice to an X account allegedly operated by Abubakar.
“Upon receipt of the approved petition, the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre, NCCC, deployed digital forensic tools to analyse the content, which was traced to a post on the X handle, @haifah_er_abba, registered and operated by one Hafsat Abubakar,” he said.
Iniedu said operatives of the NCCC arrested Abubakar on September 4, 2026.
“On the 4th of September 2026, police operatives of the NCCC arrested one Hafsat Abubakar, a 27-year-old female graduate of Library and Information Science from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria,” he said.
He described the incident as an example of the dangers posed by digitally fabricated information, particularly when such content could cause public panic, financial disruption and reputational damage.
The police spokesman urged members of the public to verify sensitive information through official channels before sharing it.
He added that the investigation was ongoing, assuring that anyone found culpable would face prosecution after the conclusion of the investigation.
The arrest followed an earlier denial by OPay of a viral notice claiming that the fintech company would cease operations from September 1, 2026.
The fabricated document, titled “Official Note,” claimed that OPay would stop processing transactions and account services indefinitely.
OPay’s Head of Corporate Communications, Folayemi Joshua, described the notice as “completely false” and said the company remained fully operational.
The company also pointed out inconsistencies in the document, including an outdated logo, a misspelt brand name and a layout that differed from its official communications.
OPay’s Chief Legal Counsel, Akinfolabi Rokosu, had also confirmed that the company was working with the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Police Force to investigate the source of the false information.
The company warned that individuals deliberately spreading false information about its operations could face legal action.