Nigeria Police: Hafsat Abubakar Arrested for OPay Fake Notice

• Hafsat Abubakar was arrested by the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre for circulating a fake notice announcing OPay's operational shutdown.
• Abubakar admitted she failed to verify the information before reposting it and later issued a public apology after OPay drew attention to her post.
• OPay Digital Services Limited filed a formal petition with the NPF National Cybercrime Centre on August 31, 2026, leading to Abubakar's arrest on September 4.
• The fraudulent document was designed to resemble an official corporate notice, falsely declaring OPay's closure and potentially misleading the public.
• Abubakar expressed regret for her actions and urged Nigerians to verify information before sharing it on social media.

This Nigeria Police OPay misinformation arrest case exemplifies the active enforcement of cybercrime laws in Nigeria, demonstrating that individuals can face legal repercussions for spreading false information online.

A Nigerian woman, Hafsat Abubakar, has expressed profound regret following her arrest by the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre. Abubakar was taken into custody for allegedly circulating a fraudulent notice that falsely announced the cessation of operations by OPay, a prominent digital payment platform. She admitted to reposting the unverified information without first confirming its authenticity. The incident began when OPay identified Abubakar's publication on its official social media channels, specifically mentioning her name and X handle, @HAIFAH_ER_ABBA. This prompted her to delete the misleading post and issue a public apology, acknowledging her error.

Despite her swift apology, Abubakar's actions had already set in motion a formal complaint. She later received an invitation from the police after OPay lodged a petition against her. Abubakar recounted her arrest at home in Zaria, Kaduna State, on September 4, approximately five days after she had issued her public apology. She was subsequently transported to Abuja, where she was informed that OPay had filed a petition against her, leading to an ongoing investigation into the matter. This Hafsat Abubakar OPay fake notice arrest underscores the serious consequences of disseminating unverified information online.

The formal complaint against Hafsat Abubakar originated from OPay Digital Services Limited, which submitted a petition to the NPF National Cybercrime Centre on August 31, 2026. This petition was routed through the office of the Deputy Inspector-General of Police overseeing the Force Criminal Investigations Department. OPay's request sought an investigation into the creation and widespread circulation of a document designed to appear as an official corporate announcement. The police subsequently deployed its digital forensics team, which successfully traced the document's dissemination, ultimately leading to Abubakar's arrest. During her apprehension, three mobile phones were recovered.

Authorities described the fraudulent document as meticulously crafted to mimic an authentic corporate notice. It incorporated OPay's official logo, corporate branding, company name, and even a purported management signature and endorsement. The core of the deception was its false declaration that OPay was shutting down its operations. The police emphasized that such social media false information Nigeria was highly capable of misleading the public and instigating undue concern among OPay's extensive customer base. This NPF Cybercrime Centre fake OPay shutdown investigation highlights the proactive measures taken against digital misinformation.

During her interaction with the police, Hafsat Abubakar openly admitted her failure to verify the information, stating she did not confirm it with OPay or the original poster before sharing. She expressed deep remorse for her actions, acknowledging the trouble she had caused. Abubakar, herself an OPay customer with an active account, affirmed her positive regard for the company and denied any intention to harm its reputation, stating she was genuinely unaware the information was false. Her experience serves as a stark warning about the perils of online content sharing.

Abubakar used her platform to advise the Nigerian public on the critical importance of verifying information before posting or sharing anything on social media. Her plea for caution underscores the growing legal risks associated with circulating unverified content, particularly when it impacts corporate entities. This Nigeria Police OPay misinformation arrest case exemplifies the active enforcement of cybercrime laws in Nigeria, demonstrating that individuals can face legal repercussions for spreading false information online, especially when an OPay petition Nigeria Police is involved. It highlights the necessity for users to exercise due diligence to avoid criminal charges and corporate petitions.

This case highlights the active enforcement of cybercrime laws in Nigeria against individuals circulating unverified information on social media that impacts corporate operations. Lawyers and compliance officers should advise clients on the severe legal risks of spreading misinformation online, emphasizing the need for verification to avoid criminal charges and corporate petitions.

Source: Original reporting via Punch Newspapers