The Nigeria Police Force has arrested 27-year-old Hafsat Abubakar over a fake notice claiming that OPay Digital Services Limited was shutting down its operations in Nigeria.
Abubakar was arrested on September 4, 2026, by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC).
According to the police, the forged notice carried OPay’s logo, corporate branding and a fake management signature, allegedly designed to mislead customers and trigger panic.
Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, said digital forensic investigators traced the document to the X account @HAIFAH_ER_ABBA, which was linked to Abubakar.
Police alleged that she later reposted the notice through another X account, @CUTE_HAFSERH, urging users to “REMOVE YOUR MONEY NOW.”
The post reportedly attracted more than 572,000 views within minutes, causing widespread concern among OPay customers.
Three Apple mobile devices were recovered from the suspect and taken for forensic analysis.
During questioning, Abubakar reportedly told investigators that she copied the fake notice from a WhatsApp status.
The police said investigations are continuing to identify the original creators of the forged document and determine the full circumstances surrounding its circulation.
Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, commended the NPF-NCCC for the arrest and reaffirmed the force’s commitment to tackling cybercrime, digital impersonation and the spread of false financial information.
The police advised Nigerians to verify financial information through official channels before withdrawing funds or sharing unverified claims online.
