Police Arrest Woman Over Fake OPay Shutdown Notice

Police have arrested 27-year-old Hafsat Abubakar over a forged notice that falsely claimed OPay Nigeria Limited was shutting down operations.

The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre said the arrest followed a petition from OPay Digital Services Limited on August 31 after the document spread online and caused concern among users.

Police spokesperson Anietie Iniedu said forensic checks traced the document to an X account operated by Abubakar. She was arrested on September 4 and investigations were still ongoing, according to the police.

Premium Times reported that OPay had earlier debunked the shutdown claim on X after a viral message advised customers to withdraw their funds before a supposed September 1 closure.

The police said the case formed part of wider efforts to tackle cybercrime and false information that could undermine public confidence in businesses and institutions.

Sources: Punch, Daily Post, Premium Times