The Nigeria Police today said it has shut down an underworld cybercrime training and recruitment hub located in Abuja that led to the arrest of six alleged “threat actors.”
“Nigeria Police Force – National Cybercrime Center (NPF-NCCC) has successfully uncovered and dismantled a sophisticated cybercrime syndicate operating in a Cybercrime recruitment and mentoring hub in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT),” ACP Olumyiwa Adejobi, Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja announced today in a statement.
The Police says the operation marking a “significant stride against cybercrime and cyber-related offences” that was carried out by its cybercrime unit, NPF-NCCC “has successfully uncovered and dismantled a sophisticated cybercrime syndicate operating in a Cybercrime recruitment and mentoring hub in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Upon receiving the intelligence, the Police spokesman said a team of cybercrime forensic experts and investigators who were detailed on the case investigated the case that led to the arrest of six suspects at their hideout in the Dantata Estate area of the FCT. The operation also led to the recovery of several digital gadgets and effects used in perpetrating their criminal enterprise on September 13, 2023.
ACP Olumyiwa Adejobi, Force Public Relations Officer.
Nigeria Police: Cybercrime sting operation was based on ‘intelligence reports’
“The investigation and operation,” Adejobi said” was initiated in response to a series of intelligence reports that indicated a deep involvement of the syndicate in various cybercrimes, including Business Email Compromise, Romance Scams, and High Yield Investment Program Fraud.”
Upon receiving the intelligence, the Police spokesman said a team of cybercrime forensic experts and investigators who were detailed on the case investigated the case that led to the arrest of six suspects at their hideout in the Dantata Estate area of the FCT. The operation also led to the recovery of several digital gadgets and effects used in perpetrating their criminal enterprise on September 13, 2023.
According to the Police, the suspects included Bernard Joseph, 27; Emmanuel Joseph, 22; Obasi Ikechukwu, 19; Anijiofor Tobechuckwu, 26; Andrew Moses, 19 and Israel Ezekiel, 19.
Adejobi alleged that the six suspects “summarily confessed to their various degrees of involvement in cybercrime including identity theft, hacking and trading of hacked Facebook accounts, romance scam, computer related forgery, and other computer related fraud punishable under the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Act, 2015.”
According to the Police spokesman, “it is pertinent to state that the investigation is ongoing and efforts to apprehend the fleeing members of this criminal network are underway. Meanwhile, the arrested suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigation.”
“In addition, the NPF wishes to urge landlords/landladies, facility owners, to expose any such cybercrime recruitment centre and mentoring hubs noticed in their areas or houses. We need to break the conspiracy of silence and expose the evil doers in our society.“
ACP Olumyiwa Adejobi, Force Public Relations Officer.
Ag. IGP Olukayode Egbetokun, Inspector General of Police, while reiterating the commitment of the Police to combating crime at all fronts irrespective of its dynamics, has directed the Director, NPF-NCCC, Uche Ifeanyi Henry, to take no break in ensuring the safety of individuals and enterprises online, according to the statement.
He also urges parents, wards, thought leaders, and social/religious institutions to outrightly condemn this menace and partner with the Police in ensuring a safer digital space for all.
“In addition, the NPF wishes to urge landlords/landladies, facility owners, to expose any such cybercrime recruitment centre and mentoring hubs noticed in their areas or houses. We need to break the conspiracy of silence and expose the evil doers in our society. We want to reassure the public that we will continually work with partners, stakeholders, and other relevant security agencies to decimate activities of cyber criminals and other criminals across the country. The Nigeria Police Force therefore counts on your support and unwavering commitment in tackling crimes and criminality in the country,” the Police spokesman said. According to the Police, members of the public are enjoined to remain vigilant and report any suspicious online activities through our dedicated e-reporting portal at https://incb.npf.gov.ng/ , and via email at policecyberunit@pf.cybersecurity.gov.ng.
