Police arrest 27-yr-old woman over fake OPay shutdown notice

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Police

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The Nigeria Police Force 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.

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The arrest was announced on Wednesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Anietie Iniedu, during a press briefing at the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre in Abuja.

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Iniedu said the investigation followed a formal petition submitted by OPay Digital Services Limited on August 31, 2026, seeking the investigation and arrest of those behind the document.

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“On the 31st of August 2026, the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre, NPF-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 circulation of a fraudulent document falsely presented as an official communication issued by OPay Nigeria Limited,” Iniedu said.

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He said the NCCC subsequently deployed digital forensic tools to analyse the document and trace its origin.

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“Upon receipt of the approved petition, the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre, NPF-NCCC, deployed digital forensic tools to analyse the content, which was traced to a post on the X handle, @Hafsat_ER_ABBA, registered and operated by one Hafsat Abubakar,” he said.

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The police spokesman said operatives arrested Abubakar on September 4, 2026.

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“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,” Iniedu said.

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Recall Digital financial services provider OPay dismissed reports claiming that it will suspend operations from Tuesday, September 1, 2026.

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The rumour, which circulated on social media, claimed that the fintech would embark on an indefinite break and stop processing transactions and account-related services.

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The report also urged OPay customers to withdraw their funds ahead of the purported shutdown, prompting concerns among some users.

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However, OPay has described the claim as false and malicious, assuring customers that it has no plans to stop its operations.

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“OPay is not going on break by September. We’re here, and we’re going nowhere!” the company said in a social media post on Sunday.

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The fintech also urged customers to be cautious of unofficial information circulating online, noting that genuine communications from the company can be distinguished from fake posts.

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“True OPay users know how to identify our official communications. Take a closer look at the viral post, and you’ll spot the red flags,” it said.

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OPay advised members of the public to verify information before sharing it, particularly when such claims concern their finances or accounts.

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The company added, “Always verify before you share. Filter the noise!”

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It further encouraged customers to rely on its verified social media platforms for updates and other official communications.

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