The arrest of a 27-year-old woman over a fake notice claiming that OPay would shut down its Nigerian operations has shifted attention from the viral rumour to the wider risks of misinformation in the country’s fast-growing digital payments industry.
The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre said it traced the document to an X account allegedly operated by Hafsat Abubakar after receiving a petition from OPay Digital Services Limited.
“On the 31st of August 2026, the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre, NCCC, received a formal petition from OPay Digital Services Limited through the office of the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Abuja, requesting urgent investigation, tracing and apprehension of persons responsible for the creation and simulation of a fraudulent document falsely presented as an official communication issued by OPay Nigeria Limited,” Police spokesman Anietie Iniedu said during a press briefing at the NPF-NCCC in Abuja.
Police said digital forensic tools were deployed to analyse the document before tracing its origin, with Abubakar arrested on September 4. Three mobile phones were also reportedly recovered as exhibits, while the investigation continues.
The development followed the circulation of a purported OPay notice warning customers that the fintech would stop processing transactions and other account-related services from September 1, prompting calls for customers to withdraw their funds.
OPay subsequently denied the claim and held a town hall in Lagos on September 2 to address the misinformation and reassure customers, merchants and other stakeholders that its operations remained unaffected.
The incident has raised broader concerns about the vulnerability of digital financial services to false information, particularly as millions of Nigerians increasingly depend on fintech platforms for payments, transfers and other everyday transactions.
Industry experts have warned that trust remains crucial to the growth of Nigeria’s fintech ecosystem, noting that misinformation about financial institutions like OPay can undermine that trust, making accurate information and responsible communication essential.
In his comments, the police spokesperson said the incident demonstrated the dangers posed by digitally fabricated information, particularly when such content could trigger public panic, financial disruption and reputational damage.
Iniedu also warned members of the public against sharing sensitive information without first verifying it through official channels.
He said the investigation was ongoing and assured that suspects found culpable would face prosecution after the conclusion of the investigation.
The police, however, remain responsible for establishing what happened and determining whether any offence was committed.
That distinction is significant as debate over the arrest has grown online, with the circumstances surrounding the suspect’s detention becoming a subject of public discussion.
The police investigation will ultimately determine the circumstances behind the creation and circulation of the document and any liability arising from it.
