Police Arrest Woman Over Fake OPay Shutdown Notice

Police Arrest Woman Over Fake OPay Shutdown Notice

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 arrest followed an investigation launched after OPay Digital Services Limited petitioned the police over the fraudulent document, which circulated widely on social media and caused concerns among some customers.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Anietie Iniedu, disclosed the development during a press briefing at the NPF-NCCC in Abuja on Wednesday.

Iniedu said the police received a formal petition from OPay on August 31, 2026, through the office of the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Abuja.

According to him, the company requested an urgent investigation to identify, trace and apprehend those responsible for creating and circulating what it described as a fraudulent document falsely presented as an official communication from OPay.

Following the petition, the National Cybercrime Centre deployed digital forensic tools to analyse the document and establish its source.

The police said the forensic investigation traced the material to a post on an X account identified as @haifah_er_abba, which was allegedly registered and operated by Abubakar.

Police operatives subsequently arrested Abubakar on September 4, 2026.

The suspect was identified as a 27-year-old graduate of Library and Information Science from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

The investigation centres on a fabricated document titled “Official Note”, which falsely claimed that OPay would stop processing transactions and account-related services indefinitely from September 1, 2026.

READ ALSO:

• Amaechi will be caged politically, Wike shouldn’t bother about Ikwerre votes — Wihioka
• Residents Cry Out Over Poorly Constructed Entrance of Ademola Abiola Street, Demand Urgent Intervention
• NSCIA warns FG against weaponising state institutions in El-Rufai case

The fake notice reportedly urged customers to withdraw or transfer their funds ahead of the purported shutdown, potentially creating panic among users of the digital financial services platform.

OPay moved quickly to dismiss the claim, assuring customers that the company had no plan to shut down its operations.

The fintech company described the purported shutdown notice as completely false and urged customers to disregard the information, stressing that its services remained fully operational.

OPay also highlighted several inconsistencies in the document as evidence that it was not an authentic company communication.

Among the discrepancies were the use of an outdated OPay logo, a misspelling of the company’s name and a layout that differed from the format used in its official communications.

The company subsequently escalated the matter to security agencies, confirming that it was working with the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force to identify the source of the false information and those involved in its circulation.

OPay’s Chief Legal Counsel, Akinfolabi Rokosu, had also warned that individuals who deliberately disseminated false information about the company could face legal consequences.

The company said the false publication had the potential to cause unnecessary alarm among customers and negatively affect its business and reputation.

The police investigation has now led to the arrest of Abubakar, with the NPF-NCCC saying the case highlights the growing threat posed by digitally fabricated information.

The Force said false information involving financial institutions and fintech companies could have serious consequences, including public panic, financial disruption and reputational damage.

The police therefore urged Nigerians to exercise caution before sharing information obtained from social media, particularly claims concerning banks, fintech companies, government agencies and other critical institutions.

The NPF-NCCC advised members of the public to verify sensitive information through official channels before acting on or reposting it online.

The police said the investigation was still ongoing and assured that anyone found culpable would face prosecution after the conclusion of the investigation.

The development comes after OPay continued its operations beyond the September 1 date mentioned in the fake notice, further confirming that the purported OPay shutdown was not genuine.

Customers have consequently been advised to rely on OPay’s verified communication channels for information concerning its services and operations.

Police Arrest Woman Over Fake OPay Shutdown Notice