The Nigeria Police Force has brought 113 foreign nationals before the Federal High Court in Abuja, facing charges related to cybercrime, including computer fraud, marketing scams, money laundering, and unauthorized access to data.
According to a statement issued on Monday via X by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the arrests took place on November 3, 2024, in Jahi, a suburb of the Federal Capital Territory, following an operation by the National Cyber Crime Centre and Zone 7 Command.
The operation led to the recovery of various sophisticated digital equipment, believed to have played a key role in the syndicate’s cyber activities.
Among the seized items were laptops, smartphones, tablets, routers from multiple brands, a central processing unit, high-capacity servers, drones, multiple SIM cards, gaming devices, international passports, and other travel documents.
A Black Toyota Tundra vehicle and a Harman/Kardon sound system were also confiscated during the operation.
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 suspects are facing charges that extend beyond cybercrime, including immigration offences 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 vowed to work closely with international law enforcement agencies and embassies to combat such transnational criminal activities.
“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.
