The Nigeria Police Force has arrested a 27-year-old woman, Hafsat Abubakar, over the alleged creation and circulation of a fake document claiming that fintech company OPay would shut down its operations in Nigeria.
The arrest followed a petition submitted by OPay Digital Services Limited to the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre on August 31, requesting an investigation into the origin and circulation of the purported shutdown notice.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Anietie Iniedu, disclosed the development during a briefing at the National Cybercrime Centre in Abuja. He said police investigators deployed digital forensic tools to analyse the document and trace its source.
According to the police, the investigation traced the document to a social media post linked to an X account allegedly operated by Abubakar.
Police operatives subsequently arrested the suspect on September 4.
The purported notice had claimed that OPay would suspend its operations from September 1, stopping transactions and account-related services indefinitely. It also advised customers to withdraw their funds ahead of the alleged shutdown.
The message generated concern among some OPay users and circulated widely on social media before the company moved to dismiss it.
OPay has repeatedly described the shutdown report as false, assuring customers that its Nigerian operations remain active.
The company urged users to disregard the purported notice and rely on its verified communication channels for information concerning its services.
OPay also said the circulation of false information about a financial institution could damage public confidence in digital payment services and potentially cause customers to make unnecessary or harmful financial decisions.
The company subsequently indicated that it was pursuing legal action against individuals allegedly responsible for creating and spreading the false information, with the police and other security agencies involved in the investigation.
The latest police action highlights the growing concern over misinformation targeting financial institutions as Nigerians increasingly depend on digital platforms for payments, transfers and other financial transactions.
False reports suggesting that a major fintech company is shutting down could trigger panic among customers, particularly if users rush to withdraw funds or transfer money based on unverified information.
For OPay, the immediate concern has been to reassure customers that its services remain operational while authorities investigate the source of the alleged fake notice.
The police investigation is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the creation and circulation of the document and determine whether other individuals were involved.
Authorities have also continued to advise members of the public to verify sensitive information before sharing it online, particularly claims involving banks, fintech companies and other financial institutions.
The incident serves as another warning about the potential consequences of digitally circulated misinformation, especially when such claims concern people’s money and access to financial services.
While the police have arrested one suspect, investigations into the alleged false publication remain ongoing, and any further determination of criminal responsibility will depend on the outcome of the investigation and due legal process.
