In a major crackdown on cybercrime, the Nigerian Police Force has apprehended 113 foreign nationals for their involvement in various illegal online activities. This was revealed by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, following an operation conducted by the Police National Cybercrime Center (NCCC).
The arrests took place on November 3, 2024, in Jahi, a district in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. According to the IGP, the suspects were discovered with advanced technological devices suspected to be used in cyber fraud and other illicit operations.
The seized items include a Black Toyota Tundra truck, laptops, mobile phones, tablets, gaming consoles like the Sony PlayStation 5, drones, servers, and routers from various brands, including Huawei, MTN, and Starlink. Authorities also recovered identification documents, SIM cards from multiple networks, and international travel papers.
“These tools were likely used for illegal data breaches, online scams, and other criminal schemes in the digital space,” Egbetokun stated. He expressed concern over the increasing threat of cross-border cybercrime and the complexity of these operations.
A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, confirmed that the suspects have already been arraigned at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The charges against them include computer fraud, unauthorized data access, money laundering, conspiracy, and illegal immigration.
Egbetokun commended the efforts of the NCCC and officers from the Zone 7 Command, describing the operation as a crucial success. He revealed that the cybercrime network also had links to human trafficking activities, further highlighting the dangers of organized cybercriminal groups.
“We remain dedicated to combating cybercrime and ensuring that offenders are prosecuted under Nigerian law,” the IGP emphasized.
