Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has arrested a woman, Hafsat Abubakar, over the alleged circulation of a fake notice claiming that OPay Digital Services Limited was shutting down its operations.
The suspect was arrested on September 4, 2026, by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) following a digital forensic investigation into the viral notice.
The police said the fabricated document was designed to look like an official corporate communication from OPay, complete with the company’s logo, branding, name and a purported management signature.
According to the Force, the false notice had the potential to mislead OPay customers, create panic and cause unnecessary concern about the safety of their funds.
Following the circulation of the document, NPF-NCCC operatives launched digital forensic analysis and online tracing to determine its source and identify those behind its dissemination.
The investigation reportedly linked the publication to the X handle @HAIFAH_ER_ABBA, which the police said was connected to Abubakar.
Investigators further alleged that she shared the notice through another X account, @CUTE_HAFSERH, tagging social-media influencers and urging members of the public to act.
The post was accompanied by the warning: “REMOVE YOUR MONEY NOW.”
The police said the publication attracted approximately 572,000 views within minutes, significantly increasing the potential reach of the false information.
During preliminary questioning, Abubakar reportedly told investigators that she obtained the notice from a WhatsApp status.
Three Apple mobile phones were recovered from the suspect and are being retained as exhibits as investigations continue.
The NPF-NCCC said its investigation is ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the creation and dissemination of the fake notice and to identify any other individuals who may have participated in the alleged offence.
The Force said the suspect, as well as any other person found culpable, would be charged to court after the conclusion of investigations.
In related news, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, commended the NPF-NCCC operatives for tracing the source of the publication and arresting the suspect.
Disu reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to tackling cybercrime, digital fraud, impersonation and the circulation of false information through digital platforms.
The Force urged Nigerians to exercise caution before acting on information shared online, particularly claims involving banks, fintech companies and other financial institutions.
It advised members of the public to verify such claims through the official communication channels of the institution concerned before taking action.
The police also urged Nigerians to promptly report suspicious online activities to appropriate law-enforcement authorities.
Tribune