Police Arrest Social Media User Over Fake OPay Shutdown Notice

The Nigeria Police Force Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) has arrested 27-year-old Hafsat Abubakar, the social media handler behind the viral @haifah_er_abba account on X, for allegedly fabricating and spreading false information that fintech giant OPay was shutting down operations.

The arrest followed a joint petition filed by OPay’s legal team to the police and the Department of State Services (DSS) after the post triggered widespread panic among millions of Nigerians who rely on OPay for daily transactions.

How the Panic Started

On August 30, 2026, Abubakar, a graduate of Library and Information Science from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, posted a message claiming OPay would embark on an “indefinite break” starting September 1, urging customers to withdraw their funds immediately. The post went viral, sparking fears of a shutdown and potential loss of funds.

OPay’s Swift Response

OPay’s Chief Legal Counsel, Akinfolabi Moses Rokosu, issued a legal notice on August 31, describing the claim as false, malicious, and defamatory. The company demanded Abubakar delete the post, issue a retraction, and tender an apology. While she complied by deleting the post and apologising, regulators and law enforcement insisted the matter required criminal investigation due to the scale of panic caused.

Police Arrest Social Media User Over Fake OPay Shutdown Notice

Police Investigation and Crackdown

Police operatives seized Abubakar’s digital devices for forensic analysis and are tracking down the graphic designer who created the fake OPay “Official Note.” Investigators are also pursuing other online intermediaries and sponsors suspected of funding the misinformation campaign.

Authorities stressed that spreading false liquidation notices about financial institutions poses a systemic risk, potentially destabilising Nigeria’s digital payment ecosystem and triggering artificial bank runs. The crackdown has widened to include other social media accounts, such as “Danny of Owerri,” accused of amplifying similar false narratives.

Warning on Cybercrime

The Police Force reminded Nigerians that under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, generating or sharing unverified panic-inducing content about financial institutions carries severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment.

Meanwhile, OPay reassured customers that its platform remains secure, financially stable, and fully operational.

The incident highlights the growing threat of digital misinformation in Nigeria’s financial sector. As fintech platforms become central to everyday life, false claims can quickly erode public trust and destabilise the economy. The police have vowed to continue tracking offenders, while OPay’s reassurance aims to restore confidence among its millions of users.