The suspects were apprehended by the Police National Cybercrime Center (NCCC) on November 3, 2024, in Jahi, a suburb of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has confirmed that the Nigerian police arrested 113 foreign nationals for their involvement in cybercrime activities, with prosecution now underway.
The suspects were apprehended by the Police National Cybercrime Center (NCCC) on November 3, 2024, in Jahi, a suburb of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
A wide array of digital equipment was seized from the suspects, believed to have been used in their criminal operations.
Among the recovered items were a Black Toyota Tundra vehicle, laptops, smartphones, tablets, desktops, and routers from MTN, Huawei, Airtel, D-Link, and Starlink.
Gaming consoles like the Sony PlayStation 5, high-capacity servers, drones, and specialised cybercrime tools were also found, alongside international passports, identity cards, SIM cards from various service providers, and travel documents.
“These assets are suspected to have been used for unauthorised data breaches, marketing scams, and other illegal activities within the cybercrime ecosystem,” stated the IGP, Egbetokun.
He pointed to the growing global threat posed by cross-border cybercriminal syndicates and the increasing scale and sophistication of their operations.
Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, confirmed that the suspects were arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja, facing charges including computer-related fraud, unlawful data access, marketing scams, money laundering, conspiracy, and illegal immigration.
The IGP commended the NCCC and the Police operatives attached to Zone 7 Command for dismantling the international cybercrime network, which is also linked to human trafficking.
He reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to working with international law enforcement agencies and embassies to track down cybercriminals and ensure they face justice.
“We will continue to combat cybercrime and other forms of transnational criminal activity, ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable under Nigerian law,” Egbetokun added.
The operation represents a significant step in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to safeguard its cyberspace and prosecute those exploiting it for illicit gain.