Police Secure Conviction of 59 Foreign Nationals in Major Cybercrime Case
The Nigeria Police Force has secured the conviction of 59 foreign nationals linked to a major international cybercrime syndicate uncovered in Abuja.
Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, describing the convictions as another milestone in the ongoing clampdown on cybercriminals coordinated by the National Cybercrime Centre.
Hundeyin said the operation, carried out on Saturday, November 3, 2024, followed credible intelligence that led to a raid on a building in the Jahi area of Abuja.
According to him, a total of 130 suspects were arrested during the operation, including 113 foreign nationals—mainly Chinese and Malaysians—and 17 Nigerians.
He stated that the suspects were involved in large-scale internet fraud, sophisticated hacking, and other cyber activities that posed serious threats to Nigeria’s digital security.
Hundeyin noted that 21 suspects were first convicted in August 2025, followed by another five in September, adding that the latest 59 convictions bring the total number of convicted individuals to 85.
He added that trials for the remaining suspects are still ongoing.
Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, reaffirmed the Force’s commitment to eradicating cybercrime in the country.
He warned that Nigeria would not serve as a safe haven for digital criminals and assured the public that the Police would continue to deploy advanced technology, strengthen international partnerships, and uphold strict investigative and prosecutorial standards to dismantle organised cybercrime networks.
Egbetokun maintained that the successful convictions send a strong message to both local and foreign cybercriminals that the Force remains resolute in protecting Nigeria’s cyberspace.
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