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 fake document claiming that fintech company 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 headquarters in Abuja.
According to Iniedu, the investigation began after OPay Digital Services Limited submitted a formal petition to the police on August 31, 2026, seeking an investigation into the source of the fraudulent document and the arrest of those responsible.
He explained that the petition was submitted through the office of the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department in Abuja.
The police spokesperson said the NPF-NCCC subsequently deployed digital forensic tools to analyse the fake document and trace its source.
He said the investigation linked the document to a post on the X account, @haifah_er_abba, which was allegedly operated by Abubakar.
Following the digital tracing exercise, police operatives arrested the suspect on September 4, 2026.
Iniedu identified Abubakar as a graduate of Library and Information Science from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
The police said the incident highlights the potential danger of fabricated information circulated online, particularly when such information could cause public panic, financial disruption and damage to the reputation of businesses.
The NPF-NCCC therefore advised members of the public to verify sensitive information through official channels before sharing it on social media or other platforms.
Iniedu added that investigations into the matter were still ongoing and that anyone found culpable would be prosecuted after the conclusion of the investigation.
The development followed a previous denial by OPay concerning a viral notice claiming that the fintech company would stop processing transactions and account services indefinitely from September 1, 2026.
OPay described the notice as completely false and urged customers to rely only on its official communication channels for information about its operations.
The company also identified several irregularities in the document, including the use of an outdated logo, a misspelt brand name and a format that did not match its official communications.
OPay’s Chief Legal Counsel, Akinfolabi Rokosu, had earlier said the company was working with the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Police Force to identify those behind the false information.
The company also warned that people who deliberately spread false claims about its operations could face legal consequences.
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