Nigerian Police Arraign 113 Foreign Nationals Over Alleged Immigration Offences, Cybercrime [Photos]

The Nigerian Police Force (NPF) has arrested and arraigned 113 foreign nationals before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The suspects are facing charges related to cybercrime, including fraud, marketing scams, money laundering, and unauthorized access to data.

In a statement on Monday via X, Force Public Relations Officer Olumuyiwa Adejobi revealed that the arrests took place on November 3, 2024, in Jahi, a suburb of the Federal Capital Territory.

Adejobi said the arrests followed a major operation led by the National Cyber Crime Centre and Zone 7 Command.

During the operation, police seized a variety of advanced digital equipment, which they believe was used in the suspects’ cyber activities.

Among the recovered items were laptops, smartphones, tablets, routers, a central processing unit, high-capacity servers, drones, SIM cards, gaming devices, international passports, and other travel documents.

He said the police also confiscated a Black Toyota Tundra vehicle and a Harman/Kardon sound system.

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 pledged to collaborate with international law enforcement agencies and embassies to tackle these transnational crimes.

Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, reiterated the police force’s commitment to using emerging technologies to protect citizens, both in the physical and digital spaces, and emphasized the force’s readiness to fight cybercrime in Nigeria.

See the photos below:

KanyiDaily recalls that the FBI recently arrested 25-year-old Oluyomi Omobolanle Bombata, also known as “Bobo Chicago,” over an alleged $2.8 million email scam and money laundering operation.