The Nigeria Police Force has charged 113 foreign nationals with cybercrime, including internet fraud, marketing schemes, money laundering, and unauthorised data access.
According to a statement issued on Monday via X by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the arrests were made on November 3, 2024, in Jahi, a Federal Capital Territory suburb, as part of an operation carried out by the National Cyber Crime Centre and Zone 7 Command.
During the operation, police seized a variety of sophisticated digital equipment thought to have been used in the syndicate’s cyber activities.
Laptops, smartphones, tablets, various brand routers, a central processing unit, high-capacity servers, drones, several SIM cards, gaming devices, international passports, and other travel documents have all been recovered.
A Black Toyota Tundra truck and a Harman/Kardon sound system were also among the seized assets.
The statement read, “These assets recovered are suspected to have been used in executing a range of cybercrime activities, including unauthorised data breaches, marketing scams, and other cybercrime activities. The scale and sophistication of the operation underscore the increasing global threat posed by cybercriminal syndicates operating across borders.”
The accused face allegations that go beyond cybercrime, including immigration violations and human trafficking networks.
“As a follow-up to the investigation and recoveries, compiled with credible evidence against the suspects, the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) has arraigned the 113 foreign nationals facing serious charges, including computer-related fraud, unlawful access to data, marketing scams, money laundering, conspiracy, and illegal immigration, before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja,” the statement added.
The police have pledged to collaborate closely with international law enforcement agencies and embassies to combat such transnational criminal activity.
“The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, while reaffirming the commitment of the Force to leverage the emerging technological advancement to protect the citizens of Nigeria both physically and in the digital space, further reiterates that the Force is well-dedicated and well-equipped to combat cases of cybercrime in the country,” the statement added.
