The Nigerian Police Force (NPF) has arrested 130 suspected “high-level” cybercrime suspects. The Abuja Command of the NPF arrested the suspects in a building along the Next Cash and Carry area, Jahi, Abuja. According to reports, the cybercrime suspects are 113 foreign nationals and 17 Nigerians, including 87 males and 26 females from China and Malaysia.
Speaking after the arrest, the Nigerian Police Force Spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi expressed that the arrested suspects were involved in cybercrimes that threaten the nation’s security.
“The Nigeria Police Force has arrested 130 suspects comprising 113 foreign nationals (87 males and 26 females), primarily of Chinese and Malaysian origin, and their 17 Nigerian collaborators (four males and 13 females) for their alleged involvement in high-level cybercrimes, hacking, and activities that threaten national security,” he said.
He noted that the suspects use computer gadgets and several highly sophisticated devices for criminal activities.
“This strategic operation was conducted through a coordinated raid on a building at the Next Cash and Carry area of Jahi, Abuja, where the suspects were reportedly using computers and other sophisticated devices to facilitate criminal activities.”
“The operation which was led by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police for Zone 7 Headquarters, Abuja, AIG Benneth Igweh, on Saturday, November 3, 2024, comprised officers of the Nigeria Police Force Zone 7 Command Abuja and the National Cyber Crime Centre (NPF-NCCC),” Adejobi added.
According to the Abuja Command Spokesperson, the police are processing and analyzing the exhibits recovered from the suspects and will be charged in court as soon as possible.
“We are investigating the matter and scientifically analyzing the exhibits recovered from them. The suspects will be charged in court upon the conclusion of our investigations. We will update the public on the outcomes of our investigations as and when due.”
Cybercrime is on the rise in Nigeria
Last week, The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested four suspects for unauthorized access to banks’ computer systems. The suspects were charged with fraudulently withdrawing depositors’ funds.
The four suspects, Chima Nwigwe, identified as the leader, along with Effiong Emmanuel, Mohammed Mahmud – the Managing Director of Downstone Ultimate Limited, and Daminan Ali, were arrested during a sting operation. The agency expressed that the suspects conspired to hack various commercial banks’ websites.
“The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arrested Chima Anthony Nwigwe, the suspected leader of banks’ hacking syndicate alongside three others: Effiong Victor Emmanuel, Mohammed Bello Mahmud, managing director, Downstone Ultimate Limited and Daminan Ali for alleged conspiracy, unauthorized access to banks’ computer systems and fraudulent withdrawal of depositors’ funds,” the statement reads.
It also added that the trio had compromised banks’ database systems to make dubious digital transfers. “They were arrested in a sting operation in Abuja following actionable intelligence about their suspected involvement in hacking, compromising databases of commercial banks, thereby causing fraudulent transfers and withdrawals through different digital platforms.”
Read More: EFCC arrests 4 commercial bank fraud masterminds in Abuja
The Cost of Cybercrime
Two weeks ago, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, expressed great concerns about the rise of cybercrime in the nation and the attending cost. According to the EFCC boss, cybercrime accounted for the larger share of 3,455 cases recorded during his first year in office. He added that $500m was lost to the scourge in 2022.
Olukoyede, while sharing data on the rising global loss to cybercrime, said:
“Projections by multiple sources show that the global loss to cybercrime may reach a staggering $10.5tn“, he said. “The research I did earlier this year confirmed that cybercrime has become the third largest crime in the world with approximately 2,328 cases occurring daily.”
The EFCC Boss also stressed the implications of widespread crime and mentioned that all assets recovered had been returned to cybercrime victims.
“The implication of all this is that if left unchecked, cybercrimes pose grave dangers to the entire world. A significant portfolio of choice assets has also been recovered and returned to both local and foreign victims of cybercrimes by the commission,” the anti-graft chief said.
As part of the implementation to curb cybercrime, Olukoyede shared EFCC’s ongoing plans. He highlighted that the agency is building a cybercrime research centre.
“We are putting up a Cybercrime Research Centre in collaboration with one of the fintechs in Nigeria. The centre will take a minimum of 500 young Nigerians at a time and train them in cyber security and all areas of cybercrime research so that we’ll be able to make something out of them,” he added.
Olukoyede also informed that a Rapid Response Desk has been established which shall receive various cybercrime complaints.
Also Read: EFCC boss says $500m lost to Cybercrime in 2024, announces training centre for youths
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