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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 notice claiming that OPay Nigeria Limited was shutting down its operations.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Anietie Iniedu, disclosed the arrest during a press briefing at the NPF-NCCC headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.
According to the police, digital forensic investigations linked the fabricated document to an X account allegedly registered and operated by Abubakar.
Police Trace Fake Document to X Account
Iniedu said the investigation commenced after OPay Digital Services Limited petitioned the police on August 31, 2026, requesting that those responsible for the fake publication be identified and arrested.
The petition was submitted through the office of the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department in Abuja.
He explained that investigators subsequently used digital forensic tools to examine the document and trace its origin.
“Upon receipt of the approved petition, the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre, NCCC, deployed digital forensic tools to analyse the content,” Iniedu said.
According to him, the investigation led officers to a post published on the X account @haifah_er_abba, which was allegedly registered and operated by Abubakar.
The suspect was arrested by police operatives on September 4.
The police also said Abubakar is a graduate of Library and Information Science from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
Fake Notice Claimed OPay Was Shutting Down
The arrest followed the circulation of a fabricated document on social media claiming that OPay would stop processing transactions and account-related services indefinitely from September 1, 2026.
The document, titled “Official Note”, was designed to look like an official communication from the fintech company and generated concern among some customers.
OPay subsequently dismissed the notice as false and assured customers that its services remained fully operational.
The company also pointed out several irregularities in the document, including the use of an outdated logo, an incorrectly spelt version of its name and a format that did not match its official communications.
OPay’s Head of Corporate Communications, Folayemi Joshua, advised customers to obtain information about the company’s services only through its verified communication channels.
The company’s Chief Legal Counsel, Akinfolabi Rokosu, also said OPay was cooperating with the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Police Force in investigating the source of the fake notice.
Police Warn Against Fake Financial Information
The police said the incident demonstrates the possible consequences of spreading fabricated information, particularly when it involves financial institutions.
Iniedu warned that false information about banks and fintech companies could cause unnecessary panic, disrupt financial transactions and negatively affect the reputation of businesses.
He therefore urged members of the public to verify sensitive information through official sources before sharing such content online.
The development comes after OPay had earlier reassured customers that it had no plans to shut down its operations, following the widespread circulation of the false notice on social media and messaging platforms.
See below:
NPF-NCCC Arrests Suspect @haifah_er_abb Over False Report Targeting Opay
The Nigerian Police Force National Cybercrime Centre has announced the arrest of a suspect, Hafsat Abubakar, over the creation and circulation of a forged document falsely suggesting that the fintech… https://t.co/4Hv9Ii5YYb
— AYO
(@sepril23NG) September 9, 2026