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 OPay was shutting down its operations.
The arrest was announced by the Force Public Relations Officer, Anietie Iniedu, during a press briefing at the NPF-NCCC headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.
According to the police, the investigation began after OPay Digital Services Limited submitted a petition on August 31, 2026, requesting that those behind the fabricated document 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.
Iniedu said the NPF-NCCC subsequently deployed digital forensic tools to examine the document and trace its source.
The investigation allegedly led detectives to an X account, @Hafsat_ER_ABBA, which the police said was registered and operated by Abubakar.
Police operatives arrested her on September 4, 2026.
The police said Abubakar is a 27-year-old graduate of Library and Information Science from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
The arrest followed the circulation of a fabricated document titled “Official Note”, which falsely claimed that OPay would stop processing transactions and account-related services indefinitely from September 1.
The notice was designed to resemble an official communication from the fintech company and reportedly generated concerns among some customers.
OPay subsequently dismissed the notice as false and assured customers that it remained fully operational. The company also pointed to inconsistencies in the document, including an outdated logo, an incorrectly spelt version of its name and a format that did not correspond with its official communications.
OPay’s Head of Corporate Communications, Folayemi Joshua, urged customers to rely on the company’s verified communication channels for information about its services.
The company’s Chief Legal Counsel, Akinfolabi Rokosu, also said OPay was cooperating with the DSS and Nigeria Police Force in efforts to establish the source of the fake notice.
The police said the case highlights the potential consequences of spreading fabricated information about financial institutions, particularly where such claims could trigger panic, disrupt transactions or damage a company’s reputation.
Iniedu therefore advised members of the public to verify sensitive financial information through official sources before sharing it online.
The investigation remains ongoing, and the police said anyone found culpable after the investigation would face prosecution.
Abubakar’s arrest is an allegation at this stage. The police have not stated that she has been convicted of any offence.
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
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