The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) has arrested a 27-year-old Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria graduate, Hafsat Abubakar, over a social media post urging OPay customers to withdraw their funds from the digital financial services platform.
The arrest followed a petition filed by OPay Digital Services Limited on August 31, 2026, according to the NPF spokesperson, Anietie Iniedu.
OPay described the claim as false and warned that individuals who deliberately circulate misinformation about its operations could face legal action.
Iniedu said the police commenced a digital investigation to trace the source of the post, which was initially shared through the X handle @haifah_er_abba. The investigation allegedly linked the account to Abubakar.
According to the police, Abubakar later shared the notice through another X account, @CUTE_HAFSERH, where she tagged social media influencers and wrote: “REMOVE YOUR MONEY NOW.”
The police said Abubakar claimed she obtained the notice from a WhatsApp status. The post reportedly attracted about 572,000 views within minutes.
Three Apple mobile phones were recovered from the suspect and taken as exhibits, the police said.
Iniedu added that the investigation was ongoing to establish how the notice was created and circulated and to identify any other individuals who may have been involved.
He said Abubakar and anyone else found culpable would be charged to court upon completion of the investigation.
