The Nigeria Police Force has secured the conviction of 21 foreign nationals linked to a high-profile cybercrime syndicate uncovered in Abuja in November 2024.
Force spokesperson, DCP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the breakthrough followed a major raid carried out on November 3, 2024, at a building in Jahi, Abuja, acting on credible intelligence. The operation — part of a broader cybercrime crackdown — led to the arrest of 130 suspects, including 113 foreign nationals, mainly of Chinese and Malaysian origin, and 17 Nigerian collaborators.
The suspects were accused of engaging in large-scale internet fraud, hacking operations, and other cyber offences deemed a threat to Nigeria’s national security and economic stability.
After months of investigation, bolstered by digital forensic evidence and expert testimonies, the accused were arraigned in court on December 2, 2024. By August 1, 2025, 21 of them had been found guilty and sentenced, while trials for the remaining suspects are still ongoing.
Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, hailed the convictions as a strong warning to local and international cybercriminals that Nigeria will not be a safe haven for illicit activities.
He reaffirmed the Force’s commitment to intensifying the fight against cybercrime through advanced technology, international collaboration, and thorough investigative work, promising further updates as prosecutions progress.
