The Nigerian Police Force arrested 130 foreign nationals—87 males and 26 females, primarily from China and Malaysia—along with 17 Nigerian accomplices (4 males and 13 females) on charges of involvement in high-level cybercrimes and hacking activities in Nigeria.
Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Force Public Relations Officer at Force Headquarters, disclosed the allegations in a statement on Sunday.
Findings
In the statement, IGP Orders Thorough Investigation into Possible Security Threats, Networking,” it was stressful that the suspects’ alleged involvement in high-level cybercrimes and activities that threaten national security will be thoroughly look upon.
“This strategic operation was conducted through a coordinated raid on a building in the Next Cash and Carry area of Jahi, Abuja, where the suspects were reportedly using computers and other sophisticated devices to facilitate criminal activities.
“The operation, led by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police for Zone 7 Headquarters, Abuja, AIG Benneth Igweh, on Saturday, November 3, 2024, comprised officers from the Nigeria Police Force Zone 7 Command Abuja and the National Cyber Crime Centre (NPF-NCCC),” the statement disclosed.
Adejobi explained that police operatives are currently investigating the matter and scientifically analyzing the exhibits recovered from the suspects.
Important Info
The NPF-NCCC is Nigeria’s premier authority on cybercrime prevention and enforcement, dedicated to safeguarding digital spaces and protecting citizens from online criminal activities.
- While the police statements against the suspects remain allegations, the police’s stance on cybercrime offenses in court has been stringent.
- On August 16, 2024, the legal team of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to deny bail to five suspects who allegedly conspired to illegally access JAMB’s restricted Central Admission Processing System (CAPS) and e-facility between 2023 and 2024.
- The IGP’s counsel, Victor Okoye, instituted the pending case against the suspects under suit number FHC/ABJ/CR/312/2024.
In addition, at a recent event, Haruna Jalo-Waziri, Chief Executive Officer at the Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS), revealed that in Nigeria, the landscape of cybercrime remains particularly challenging, with “businesses facing an alarming average of 2,560 cyber attacks each week.”