The Nigeria Police Force has apprehended 130 foreign nationals, predominantly from China and Malaysia, along with 17 Nigerian collaborators, for their alleged involvement in advanced cybercrimes and hacking activities across the country.
The arrested group includes 87 males and 26 females of foreign origin, alongside four male and 13 female Nigerian accomplices.
Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Force Public Relations Officer, revealed this information in a statement on Sunday. He highlighted that the suspects were detained for their participation in activities that pose a serious threat to Nigeria’s national security.
The police operation, targeting potential security breaches and cybercriminal networks, took place in the Next Cash and Carry area of Jahi, Abuja, where the suspects were reportedly operating from a building using computers and advanced technology to carry out illegal activities.
The operation, conducted on Saturday, November 3, 2024, was spearheaded by Assistant Inspector-General of Police for Zone 7 Headquarters in Abuja, AIG Benneth Igweh, and involved officers from the Nigeria Police Force Zone 7 Command and the National Cyber Crime Centre (NPF-NCCC).
Adejobi added that investigations are underway, with authorities conducting a scientific analysis of the devices and materials seized from the suspects. He assured the public that once the investigation is completed, the suspects will be prosecuted in court, and updates will be provided as necessary.
The NPF-NCCC plays a critical role in preventing cybercrime in Nigeria, working to secure the country’s digital environment and protect citizens from online criminal activities. While the current allegations against the suspects are yet to be proven in court, the Nigerian police have maintained a strict stance on prosecuting cybercrime offenders.
In an earlier case, the police’s legal team, on August 16, 2024, urged the Federal High Court in Abuja to deny bail to five suspects accused of hacking into the Central Admission Processing System (CAPS) of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
The suspects were charged with altering admission letters and issuing fake ones, enabling illegal mobilization for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) between 2023 and 2024. The case, filed under suit number FHC/ABJ/CR/312/2024, remains ongoing.
During a recent cybersecurity conference, Haruna Jalo-Waziri, CEO of the Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS), highlighted the growing cybercrime threat in Nigeria, noting that businesses are facing an alarming average of 2,560 cyberattacks weekly, further underscoring the seriousness of the issue.
