Police arraign 113 foreigners for cybercrime, money laundering, others
Abdullateef Fowewe
The Nigeria Police Force has arraigned 113 foreign nationals before the Federal High Court in Abuja on charges related to cybercrime, including computer-related fraud, marketing scams, money laundering, and unlawful access to data.
In a statement on Monday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the arrests were made on November 3, 2024, in Jahi, a suburb of the Federal Capital Territory, following an operation conducted by the National Cyber Crime Centre and Zone 7 Command.
During the operation, police recovered a range of sophisticated digital equipment believed to have been instrumental in the syndicate’s cyber activities.
Recovered items include 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 among the seized assets.
The statement read, “The IGP made this known while commending the Police operatives attached to Zone 7 command and the National Cyber Crime Centre (NPF-NCCC) Abuja for bursting a group of foreign Nationals involved in a series of cybercrimes including internet fraud and marketing scams
“The suspects were arrested on the 3rd of November 2024 in Jahi, a suburb of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). During investigation, operatives of the NPF-NCCC recovered a vast array of digital critical evidence, believed to be instrumental in the syndicate’s cybercrime operations. The recovered items include 1 Black Toyota Tundra vehicle, laptops of different makes, smartphones of various brands, tablets, desktops, computers and keyboards, Harman/Kardon sound system, MTN routers, Huawei routers, Airtel routers, D-Link routers, Starlink routers, Gamepads, 1 Sony PlayStation 5, a central processing unit, Multiple SIM cards from both local international service Providers, High-capacity servers, Drones and specialized cyber equipment, international passports, identity cards, and travel documents.
“These assets recovered are suspected to have been used in executing a range of cybercrime activities, including unauthorized data breaches, marketing scams and other cybercrime activities. The scale and sophistication of the operation underscores the increasing global threat posed by cybercriminal syndicates operating across borders.
“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 police have vowed to work closely with international law enforcement agencies and embassies to combat such transnational criminal activities.
“The arraignment of these suspects follows extensive investigations that have uncovered the alleged involvement of these individuals in criminal activities spanning both cybercrime, immigration offences and human trafficking networks.
“The Nigeria Police Force will continue to work closely with international law enforcement agencies and Embassies to track and prosecute cybercriminals, combat cybercrime and other forms of transnational criminal activity and ensure that perpetrators are held accountable under Nigerian law.
“The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun Ph.D, NPM, 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.
