OPay Shutdown Hoax: Police Arrest Suspect Behind Viral Notice

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested Hafsat Abubakar in connection with a fake notice announcing the alleged shutdown of OPay Digital Services Limited. The notice, which circulated online, was not issued by the fintech company but was presented as though it were an official corporate announcement.

The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) began investigating after the notice gained widespread attention online. According to the Force, the document used OPay’s logo, corporate identity and a purported management signature to make it appear authentic.

Investigators traced the online trail to an X account identified as @HAIFAH_ER_ABBA, which the police linked to Abubakar. She was arrested by NPF-NCCC operatives on September 4, following digital forensic analysis and online tracing of the publication.

Police said the suspect also reposted the notice through another X account, @CUTE_HAFSERH, where she tagged social media influencers and urged users to “REMOVE YOUR MONEY NOW.” During questioning, she reportedly said she received the notice through a WhatsApp status. The post allegedly generated about 572,000 views within minutes.

Three Apple mobile phones were recovered from Abubakar and taken as exhibits as investigators continue to establish how the fabricated notice originated and whether others participated in its circulation. The police said the suspect and any other person found culpable will face prosecution after the investigation is concluded.

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, commended the cybercrime centre for the investigation and arrest. The Force also urged Nigerians to confirm sensitive information, especially claims involving financial institutions, through verified communication channels before acting on or sharing such reports.