The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre has arrested a 27-year-old woman named Hafsat Abubakar. She is accused of making and sharing a fake document that wrongly said fintech company OPay Nigeria Limited was closing down its services.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Anietie Iniedu, announced the arrest during a press conference at the NPF-NCCC in Abuja on Wednesday.
Iniedu explained that the police acted after they received a formal complaint from OPay Digital Services Limited on August 31, 2026. The company asked for an urgent investigation to find and catch those behind the fake document.
The complaint went through the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, who oversees the Force Criminal Investigation Department in Abuja.
Iniedu stated that the fake document was made to look like an official message from OPay Nigeria Limited. He said, "On the 31st of August 2026, the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre, 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 simulation of a fraudulent document falsely presented as an official communication issued by OPay Nigeria Limited."
The FPRO mentioned that the NCCC quickly used digital forensic tools to check the document and trace where it came from. He added, "Upon receipt of the approved petition, the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre, 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."
Police later arrested Abubakar on September 4, 2026. Iniedu said, "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."
He pointed out that this case shows the risks of spreading fake information, especially when it can cause public fear, financial issues, and harm to a company's reputation. The police also reminded people to check sensitive information before sharing it through official sources.
The investigation is still ongoing. Iniedu promised that anyone found guilty will be prosecuted once the investigation is complete.
PUNCH Online reported that OPay denied rumors that it would stop operations from September 1, 2026. They called the notice false and advised customers to trust only their official communication.
A fake document titled "Official Note" had gone viral on social media. It claimed OPay would halt all transactions and account services indefinitely from September 1.
OPay’s Head of Corporate Communications, Folayemi Joshua, labeled the notice as "completely false" and assured the public that the company is still fully operational.
The company also pointed out errors in the document like an old logo, a misspelled brand name, and a format that did not match its official messages.
OPay’s Chief Legal Counsel, Akinfolabi Rokosu, confirmed that they are collaborating with the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Police Force to find the source of the false news.
The company warned that anyone intentionally spreading false information about its operations could face legal consequences.
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