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 company OPay Digital Services Limited was shutting down its operations.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Anietie Iniedu, disclosed the arrest on Wednesday during a press briefing at the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) in Abuja.
Iniedu said the investigation followed a formal petition submitted by OPay Digital Services Limited on August 31, 2026, requesting the tracing and arrest of those responsible for creating and circulating the purported shutdown notice.
“On the 31st of August 2026, the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre, NPF-NCCC, received a formal petition from OPAY Digital Services Limited through the office of the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Abuja, requesting urgent investigation, tracing and apprehension of persons responsible for the creation and circulation of a fraudulent document falsely presented as an official communication issued by OPay Nigeria Limited,” Iniedu said.
He said the NCCC subsequently deployed digital forensic tools to analyse the document and establish its source.
“Upon receipt of the approved petition, the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre, NPF-NCCC, deployed digital forensic tools to analyse the content, which was traced to a post on the X handle, @Hafsat_ER_ABBA, registered and operated by one Hafsat Abubakar,” he said.
According to the police spokesman, operatives of the cybercrime centre arrested Abubakar on September 4, 2026.
“On the 4th of September 2026, police operatives of the NCCC arrested one Hafsat Abubakar, a 27-year-old female graduate of Library and Information Science from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria,” Iniedu said.
The development followed a viral social media publication which claimed that OPay would suspend its operations from Tuesday, September 1, 2026.
The purported notice claimed that the fintech company would embark on an indefinite break, stop processing transactions and suspend account-related services. It also urged OPay customers to withdraw their funds ahead of the alleged shutdown, triggering concerns among some users.
OPay, however, swiftly dismissed the publication as false and malicious, assuring customers that it had no plans to discontinue 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 on Sunday.
The fintech also warned customers and members of the public against relying on unofficial information circulating online, urging them to carefully scrutinise purported communications from the company.
“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.
OPay further advised members of the public to verify information before sharing it, particularly where such claims could affect customers’ finances or access to their accounts.
“Always verify before you share. Filter the noise!” the company added.
The fintech encouraged customers to rely on its verified social media platforms and other official communication channels for authentic updates concerning its operations and services.
The police investigation into the alleged forgery and circulation of the document is ongoing.
