The Nigeria Police Force has arrested 130 foreign nationals (87 males and 26 females), primarily of Chinese and Malaysian origin, and their 17 Nigerian collaborators (4 males and 13 females) for alleged 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.
According to the statement, the suspects have been arrested for engaging in activities that threaten national security.
In the statement titled “IGP Orders Thorough Investigation into Possible Security Threats, Networking,” it was stressed that the suspects’ alleged involvement in high-level cybercrimes and activities that threaten national security will be thoroughly investigated.
“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.
He assured Nigerians that the suspects will be charged in court upon the conclusion of police investigations and that updates on the outcome will be provided as necessary.
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.
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.”