…Urges Citizens to Adopt Multi-Factor Authentication

By Kingsley Omonobi

Abuja – The Nigeria Police Force, through its National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC), has uncovered and dismantled a sophisticated cyber fraud syndicate responsible for hijacking WhatsApp accounts—particularly those of prominent citizens—with the aim of defrauding their contacts.

Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, revealed that the operation followed an official complaint lodged on April 14, 2025. He said a swift and strategic response by the NPF-NCCC’s cyber intelligence team led to the exposure of a calculated scheme involving mobile platform compromise and social engineering tactics.

Using advanced digital forensics and investigative tools, the cybercrime team traced the fraudulent activity across multiple Nigerian banks, leading to the freezing of illicit funds amounting to millions of naira.

One key suspect, Onajite Okoro, was apprehended in Warri, Delta State. He confessed to working with an accomplice identified as “Chief Mallam Zaki,” whom he met via Facebook. Okoro admitted to facilitating the fraud by registering SIM cards, linking them to various bank accounts, and assisting in illicit fund transfers.

Further analysis of Okoro’s devices and financial records provided concrete evidence of his involvement in the scheme. The investigation also identified additional syndicate members who are still at large, with efforts ongoing to apprehend them and bring them to justice.

Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, reaffirmed the Force’s zero-tolerance policy towards financial and cybercrimes, stressing the commitment to respond decisively to evolving digital threats.

“The Force is collaborating with relevant stakeholders and financial institutions to deepen investigations and ensure all perpetrators are held accountable,” the statement read.

The Police urged Nigerians to adopt safer digital practices, including:

Enabling multi-factor authentication on messaging and banking platforms,

Verifying suspicious messages, even from known contacts,

Securing communication channels.

“The Nigeria Police Force remains fully committed to safeguarding the nation’s cyberspace and ensuring that cybercriminals, regardless of their targets, face the full weight of the law,” ACP Adejobi concluded.