The Nigeria Police Force has uncovered and dismantled a sophisticated cybercrime syndicate and arrested six suspects operating a recruitment and mentoring hub in Abuja, FCT.
“In a significant stride against cybercrime and cyber-related offences, the Nigeria Police Force-National Cybercrime Centre (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 Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Force PRO, said in a statement on Wednesday.
“The investigation and operation were initiated in response to a series of intelligence reports that indicated a deep involvement of the syndicate in various cybercrimes, including business email compromises, romance scams, and high-yield investment programme fraud. Upon receiving the intelligence, a team of cybercrime forensic experts and investigators were detailed on the case. Painstaking effort was expended in clinically investigating the case, which led to the arrest of six (6) suspects at their hideout in the Dantata estate area of the FCT and the recovery of several digital gadgets and effects used in perpetrating their criminal enterprise on September 13, 2023.
The suspects, namely Bernard Joseph aged 27, Emmanuel Joseph aged 22, Obasi Ikechukwu aged 19, Anijiofor Tobechuckwu aged 26, Andrew Moses aged 19, and Israel Ezekiel aged 19, summarily confessed to their various degrees of involvement in cybercrime, including identity theft, hacking and trading of hacked Facebook accounts, romance scams, computer-related forgery, and other computer-related fraud punishable under the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015. 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 in court upon the conclusion of the investigation.
The Inspector General of Police, Ag. IGP Olukayode Egbetokun, while reiterating the commitment of the Force 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. He also urges parents, wards, thought leaders, and social and religious institutions to outrightly condemn this menace and partner with the police to ensure a safer digital space for all.
In addition, the NPF wishes to urge landlords, landladies, and facility owners to expose any such cybercrime recruitment centres and mentoring hubs noticed in their areas or houses. We need to break the conspiracy of silence and expose the evildoers in our society.
We want to reassure the public that we will continually work with partners, stakeholders, and other relevant security agencies to determine the activities of cybercriminals and other criminals across the country.
The Nigeria Police Force therefore counts on your support and unwavering commitment to tackling crimes and criminality in the country.
Finally, members of the public are enjoined to remain vigilant and report any suspicious online activities through our dedicated e-reporting portal at www.incb.npf.gov.ng, and via email at policecyberunit@pf.cybersecurity.gov.ng.
