Nigeria Police Arrest 113 Foreign Nationals in Cybercrime Crackdown in Abuja

Officers from Zone 7 Command and the National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) have successfully conducted a major operation in Abuja, leading to the arrest of 113 foreign nationals involved in advanced cybercrime activities.

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) disclosed the operation in a statement signed by Police spokesperson ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi via X on Monday.

According to the statement, the arrests took place in Jahi, Abuja, on November 3, 2024. During the raid, officers recovered a variety of items linked to the syndicate’s activities, including laptops, smartphones, tablets, a Toyota Tundra, identity cards, passports, and travel documents. Additional evidence included specialised cyber equipment, gaming consoles, high-capacity servers, routers, drones, central processing units, and communication devices.

The statement further revealed that the operation uncovered significant evidence of the syndicate's involvement in internet fraud, marketing scams, and other cybercrime-related activities.

Following extensive investigations, the 113 suspects have been arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja. Charges include computer-related fraud, unlawful access to data, marketing scams, money laundering, conspiracy, and illegal immigration.

The NPF statement read: “As a follow-up to the investigation and recoveries, compiled with credible evidence against the suspects, the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC), has arraigned the 113 foreign nationals facing serious charges, including computer-related fraud, unlawful access to data, marketing scams, money laundering, conspiracy, and illegal immigration, before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

“The arraignment of these suspects follows extensive investigations that have uncovered the alleged involvement of these individuals in criminal activities spanning both cybercrime, immigration offences, and human trafficking networks."

The Nigeria Police Force emphasized its commitment to combating transnational crimes, stating: “The Nigeria Police Force will continue to work closely with international law enforcement agencies and embassies to track and prosecute cybercriminals, combat cybercrime and other forms of transnational criminal activity, and ensure that perpetrators are held accountable under Nigerian law.”

This operation underscores the growing effort by Nigerian law enforcement agencies to tackle cybercrime and related offenses, ensuring justice and security in the digital space.