The police said the suspect was arrested on September 4, 2026, following a digital forensic investigation and online tracing of the source of the notice, which was widely circulated on social media.
The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) has arrested a woman, Hafsat Abubakar, over the circulation of a false notice purporting to be an official communication from OPay Digital Services Limited and announcing the shutdown of the company’s operations.
The police said the suspect was arrested on September 4, 2026, following a digital forensic investigation and online tracing of the source of the notice, which was widely circulated on social media.
According to the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, in a statement issued on Thursday, the investigation also led to the recovery of three Apple mobile phones from Abubakar.
The police said the false communication was designed to appear as an official corporate notice from OPay, bearing the company’s logo, corporate branding, company name and a purported management signature and endorsement.
It said the notice falsely suggested that OPay was shutting down its operations, a development that was capable of misleading members of the public and causing unnecessary concern among customers.
“Following the circulation of the false notice, operatives of the NPF-NCCC commenced digital forensic analysis and online tracing to establish its source and identify those responsible for its dissemination,” the statement said.
The investigation, according to the police, traced the notice to the X handle, @HAIFAH_ER_ABBA, which was linked to Abubakar.
She was subsequently arrested by operatives of the NPF-NCCC on September 4.
The police said preliminary investigation showed that Abubakar published the notice on her X handle and later shared it through another X handle, @CUTE_HAFSERH, where she tagged social-media influencers.
According to the Force, the post was accompanied by the caption, “REMOVE YOUR MONEY NOW.”
The suspect reportedly told investigators that she obtained the notice from a WhatsApp status.
The police said the publication recorded approximately 572,000 views within minutes of being posted, raising concerns over the potential impact of the false information on OPay customers and members of the public.
The rapid spread of the purported shutdown notice could have caused customers to panic or take financial decisions based on information that was not issued by the financial services company.
The police said three Apple mobile phones were recovered from the suspect as exhibits as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the creation and dissemination of the false notice.
“Investigation is ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the creation and dissemination of the false notice and to identify any other persons who may have been involved,” the statement said.
The Force added that the suspect, alongside any other person found culpable, would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, commended the operatives of the NPF-NCCC for tracing the online publication and effecting the arrest of the suspect.
Disu also reiterated the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to tackling cybercrime, digital fraud, impersonation and the circulation of false information through digital platforms.
The Force urged members of the public to exercise caution before acting on information circulated online, particularly information relating to financial institutions and services.
It advised members of the public to verify such information through the official communication channels of the concerned institution before taking action.
“Members of the public are advised to verify such information through the official communication channels of the concerned institution and promptly report suspicious online activities to the appropriate law-enforcement authorities,” the statement said.
The police said the development underscores the importance of verifying information shared through social media platforms, particularly when such information concerns financial institutions and could influence customers to withdraw or transfer their funds.
OPay had previously denied reports that it was shutting down its operations, describing the claims as false and malicious.
Before the police announced the arrest, the fintech company had also threatened legal action against social media users who circulated what it described as fake news about its operations.
In separate demand letters issued in late August and September 1, 2026, OPay threatened legal action against X users Adam B. Garba II and Cute Hafserh, as well as TikTok account ViralGrabTV, over posts claiming that the company was planning to go on a “long indefinite break” and advising customers to withdraw their funds.
OPay accused the social media users of publishing false, malicious, libellous and defamatory information capable of damaging its reputation and business interests.
The company demanded that the posts be deleted, the claims retracted and unreserved apologies issued, warning that failure to comply would lead to legal action.
