The Nigeria Police Force has recorded major breakthroughs in cybercrime investigations, dismantling a cross-border fraud syndicate, arresting a fake international official, and nabbing suspects linked to a ₦85 million business email compromise scheme.
In a statement issued on April 15, 2026, by the Force Public Relations Officer, Anthony Okon Placid, the operations were carried out by the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu.
According to the police, the breakthroughs highlight the Force’s resolve to combat cybercrime, protect investments, and safeguard Nigeria’s digital economy.
Fake ‘World Bank’ Official Arrested
The police said operatives dismantled a sophisticated cross-border fraud network following intelligence from the East Africa Sub-Sahara Africa Safe Promotion Foundation in Kenya.
The prime suspect, Agbor Martins Black-Diamond, allegedly posed as an official of the World Bank and other US-based donor agencies to defraud victims.
Investigations revealed that two Kenyan victims, introduced to the suspect in Nairobi, transferred a total of $250,000 over three years for fake registration and administrative fees tied to non-existent donor funding.
“No funding was ever secured. Instead, the suspect organised sham symposiums in Nigeria and South Africa,” the statement said.
Police added that in 2024, the suspect convinced the victims to obtain a loan using family property to access a fictitious $850,000 empowerment fund in Ghana.
He was arrested on March 31, 2026, while investigations showed his organisation was unregistered in Nigeria, prompting him to float another company to legitimise his activities. He also allegedly defrauded local farmers in Abuja’s Kuje Area Council, collecting ₦50,000 each under the guise of empowerment programmes.
Ex-Employee Arrested for Cyber Fraud
In a separate operation on April 3, 2026, the NPF-NCCC arrested Chinedu Mbachu, a former employee accused of cyber-related offences including unauthorised system modification and diversion of company funds.
The suspect reportedly admitted to routing customer payments into his personal accounts. Police recovered a mobile phone and identification documents from him.
Two Arrested Over ₦85m Business Email Compromise
The police also arrested Ayodele Daramola and Dada Babatunde Oluwatobi over allegations of conspiracy, data breach, fraud, and money laundering.
Preliminary findings showed that between May and December 2025, the duo siphoned ₦85 million from a company by exploiting internal systems and diverting funds through a bank account.
“From the proceeds, 21 percent was retained by one suspect, while 79 percent was transferred to an account linked to the other,” the police said.
Further investigation revealed that about ₦61 million was spent on online gambling platforms.
Recovered items include ₦4 million cash, a Lexus ES350 vehicle, a laptop, and a mobile phone.
Police Vow Crackdown on Cybercrime
The Inspector-General of Police reaffirmed the Force’s commitment to tackling cybercrime and prosecuting offenders.
“Nigeria is not a safe haven for cybercriminals. The Force will relentlessly pursue all persons, domestic or foreign, who exploit technology, internal systems, and cross-border partnerships for fraudulent purposes,” Disu said.
He assured both Nigerians and the international community of the police’s determination to protect the digital economy and bring perpetrators to justice, adding that investigations are ongoing to recover remaining funds and prosecute all those involved.
