The Nigeria Police Force has secured the conviction of twenty-one foreign nationals linked to a sophisticated cybercrime syndicate uncovered in Abuja in November 2024, in what the Force describes as “a landmark victory in the fight against cybercrime and a clear warning to international criminal networks.”
The Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, August 10, 2025, noting that the convictions follow “meticulous and painstaking investigations” that began after a well-coordinated raid in the Jahi area of Abuja on November 3, 2024.“
Acting on credible intelligence, our operatives stormed a building in Jahi where 130 suspects were arrested,” Adejobi said.
“They included 113 foreign nationals — predominantly Chinese and Malaysian — and 17 Nigerian collaborators. Their activities ranged from large-scale internet fraud to sophisticated hacking operations, all capable of undermining Nigeria’s national security and economic stability.”
According to him, the suspects were arraigned in court on December 2, 2024, and the trial process involved “robust digital forensic evidence, expert testimonies, and close collaboration with prosecuting authorities.”
He confirmed that “as of August 1, 2025, twenty-one of the accused have been convicted and sentenced by a competent court of jurisdiction, while prosecution of the remaining defendants continues in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice.”
Adejobi stressed that the convictions represent “more than just a legal win” for the Nigeria Police Force. “This outcome sends a resounding message to both local and international cybercriminal networks: Nigeria will not serve as a safe haven for your criminal enterprises,” he said.
Reaffirming the commitment of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Adejobi added, “We will continue to intensify the fight against all forms of cybercrime by deploying cutting-edge technology, strengthening international cooperation, and applying diligent investigative processes to dismantle organized criminal groups.”
The Force assured the public that it would provide further updates as the ongoing prosecutions progress, with Adejobi concluding: “This is a sustained battle, and we are determined to win it — for the sake of our national security, economic stability, and the protection of our cyberspace.”
