Police arraign 113 foreigners for cybercrime, immigration offences

The Nigeria Police Force has arraigned 113 foreign nationals at the Federal High Court in Abuja on charges linked to cybercrime.

The allegations include computer-related fraud, marketing scams, money laundering, and unauthorized access to data.

In a statement shared on Monday via X (formerly Twitter), Force Public Relations Officer Olumuyiwa Adejobi revealed that the arrests were made on November 3, 2024, in Jahi, a suburb of the Federal Capital Territory. The operation was a coordinated effort by the National Cyber Crime Centre and Zone 7 Command.

During the raid, law enforcement officials confiscated an array of sophisticated digital equipment allegedly used in the syndicate’s criminal operations.

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The recovered items included laptops, smartphones, tablets, routers from various brands, a central processing unit, high-capacity servers, drones, multiple SIM cards, and gaming devices.

Additional items such as international passports, travel documents, a Black Toyota Tundra vehicle, and a Harman/Kardon sound system were also seized.

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 vowed to work closely with international law enforcement agencies and embassies to combat such transnational criminal activities.

“The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, 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.