Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Nigeria Police Force has arrested a 27-year-old woman, Hafsat Abubakar, over the alleged creation and circulation of a forged document falsely claiming that fintech giant OPay Nigeria Limited was shutting down its operations. The arrest, announced on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, by the Force Public Relations Officer, Anietie Iniedu, during a press briefing at the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre in Abuja, marked the culmination of a swift investigation triggered by a petition from OPay Digital Services Limited on August 31, 2026. The case has now become a defining example of the growing threat posed by digital misinformation to Nigeria's financial system and the willingness of law enforcement to pursue those who spread it.
The investigation began when OPay submitted a formal petition through the office of the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department, requesting urgent investigation, tracing, and apprehension of persons responsible for the creation and simulation of a fraudulent document falsely presented as an official communication issued by OPay Nigeria Limited. The document, titled "Official Note," claimed that the fintech company would embark on an indefinite break and stop processing transactions and account-related services from September 1, 2026. It further urged OPay customers to withdraw their funds ahead of the purported shutdown, a directive that sparked widespread panic among users across the country.
The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre deployed digital forensic tools to analyse the content of the document and trace its origin. According to Iniedu, the forensic analysis led investigators to a post on an X handle registered and operated by Hafsat Abubakar. On September 4, 2026, police operatives arrested Abubakar, a graduate of Library and Information Science from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. The police spokesman said the incident highlighted the risks associated with digitally fabricated information, particularly when false claims could cause public panic, disrupt financial activities, and damage the reputation of businesses. He urged members of the public to verify sensitive information through official channels before sharing it online. Iniedu added that investigations were still ongoing and that anyone found culpable would be prosecuted after the conclusion of the investigation.
OPay had earlier moved swiftly to dismiss the viral notice as false and malicious, assuring customers that it had no plans to stop its operations. "OPay is not going on break by September. We're here, and we're going nowhere!" the company said in a social media post. The company's Head of Corporate Communications, Folayemi Joshua, described the notice as completely false and identified several irregularities in the document, including the use of an outdated logo, a misspelt version of the company's name, and a design that did not match its official communications. OPay also urged customers to be cautious of unofficial information circulating online, noting that genuine communications from the company can be distinguished from fake posts. "True OPay users know how to identify our official communications. Take a closer look at the viral post, and you'll spot the red flags," it said. The company added: "Always verify before you share. Filter the noise!"
The arrest of Hafsat Abubakar is not an isolated incident. It comes amid growing concerns over the proliferation of fake news and misinformation in Nigeria, particularly on social media platforms where unverified claims can spread rapidly and cause significant disruption. The case also underscores the increasing willingness of Nigerian businesses to use legal and law enforcement channels to protect their reputations and prevent financial panic. OPay had earlier disclosed that it was working with the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Police Force to investigate the false information circulating on social media, with the company providing evidence to support the probe.
The broader implications of the case extend beyond OPay and the suspect. In a country where millions of Nigerians rely on digital payment platforms for their daily transactions, the spread of false information about a major fintech company can have devastating consequences. A panic-induced rush to withdraw funds could destabilise the platform, erode public trust in digital financial services, and cause real economic harm. The police have consequently urged Nigerians to verify information before sharing it on social media, especially when such claims concern banks, fintech companies, or other financial services. "A single post can cause panic, disrupt businesses and erode public trust," one analyst noted, underscoring the responsibility that comes with digital connectivity.
The arrest of Abubakar has also sparked a wider conversation about the legal consequences of spreading fake news. Under Nigerian law, the creation and circulation of false information capable of causing public panic or damaging the reputation of businesses can attract severe penalties, including imprisonment. The Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024, criminalises the intentional transmission of false messages intended to cause annoyance, inconvenience, danger, obstruction, insult, injury, criminal intimidation, enmity, hatred, or ill will. Violations can attract fines and imprisonment. The case against Abubakar is likely to test the application of these provisions in a case involving a financial institution and a suspect accused of creating a forged official document.
As the investigation continues, the case of Hafsat Abubakar serves as a cautionary tale for Nigerians about the power of a single post. The 27-year-old graduate, who is currently in police custody, now faces the prospect of prosecution for an act that may have seemed harmless at the time but had the potential to disrupt the financial activities of millions. For OPay, the arrest represents a victory in its fight against misinformation and a warning to those who would seek to damage its reputation. For the Nigeria Police Force, the case is a demonstration of its growing capacity to use digital forensics to track down those who spread false information. And for the Nigerian public, it is a stark reminder that the internet is not a lawless space and that the words we share online can have real and lasting consequences.
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