The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre has arrested a 27-year-old woman, Hafsat Abubakar, over the alleged creation and circulation of a fake document claiming that OPay Nigeria Limited was shutting down its operations.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Anietie Iniedu, disclosed this on Wednesday during a press briefing at the NPF National Cybercrime Centre in Abuja.
Iniedu said the investigation began after OPay Digital Services Limited petitioned the police on August 31, 2026, seeking an investigation into the origin of the document and the arrest of those behind its production and circulation.
According to him, the petition was submitted through the office of the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department in Abuja.
He said the document was designed to appear as an official communication from OPay and was circulated online, potentially misleading customers and members of the public about the company’s operations.
Iniedu explained that the cybercrime centre deployed digital forensic tools to analyse the document and trace its source.
The investigation, he said, led detectives to an account on X, @haifah_er_abba, which was allegedly operated by Abubakar.
“Upon receipt of the approved petition, the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre, NCCC, deployed digital forensic tools to analyse the content, which was traced to a post on the X handle, @haifah_er_abba, registered and operated by one Hafsat Abubakar,” Iniedu said.
He added that police operatives arrested Abubakar on September 4, describing her as a graduate of Library and Information Science from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
The police spokesman warned that digitally fabricated information could have serious consequences, particularly when it involved financial institutions and had the potential to cause panic, disrupt transactions and damage the reputation of businesses.
He urged members of the public to verify sensitive information through official channels before sharing it on social media.
Iniedu said investigations were still ongoing, adding that anyone found culpable would be prosecuted after the conclusion of the probe.
OPay had earlier dismissed a viral notice claiming that it would discontinue its operations from September 1, 2026, describing the document as false.
The fabricated notice, titled “Official Note,” claimed that the fintech company would stop processing transactions and account services indefinitely from September 1.
OPay’s Head of Corporate Communications, Folayemi Joshua, said the claim was “completely false,” assuring customers that the company remained fully operational.
The company also identified several inconsistencies in the purported notice, including the use of an outdated logo, a misspelt brand name and a design that differed from its official communications.
OPay’s Chief Legal Counsel, Akinfolabi Rokosu, also confirmed that the company was working with the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Police Force to identify those responsible for the false information.
The company warned that individuals who deliberately circulated false claims capable of misleading the public about its operations could face legal consequences.