- Safiu Kehinde
The Nigeria Police Force has secured the conviction of 21 foreign nationals arraigned over internet fraud.
This was announced in a statement issued on Sunday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi.
According to Adejobi, the 21 convicted fraudsters were part of the 130 suspects arrested during a cybercrime crackdown raid in Abuja in November 2024.
113 out of the 130 suspects were confirmed to be foreign nationals predominantly of Chinese and Malaysian origin while the remaining 17 suspects were Nigerian collaborators.
While the suspects were arraigned in December 2024, the 21 foreign nationals were convicted on the 1st of August and sentenced by an undisclosed court.
In reaction to the development, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, according to the statement, reaffirmed the public of the Force dedication of the Force to fight against cybercrime.
He noted that the conviction sends a strong message to both local and international cybercriminal networks.
The ststamet read in part; “The Nigeria Police Force, in its sustained fight against cyber-related crimes and in protection of national security, has recorded a significant legal victory with the conviction of twenty-one (21) foreign nationals involved in a high-profile cybercrime syndicate uncovered in Abuja in November 2024.
“It will be recalled that on Saturday, 3rd November 2024, acting on credible and actionable intelligence, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force carried out a well-coordinated raid on a building located at Jahi, Abuja.
“The operation, which was part of a broader cybercrime crackdown, resulted in the arrest of 130 suspects, comprising 113 foreign nationals, predominantly of Chinese and Malaysian origin, and 17 Nigerian collaborators.
“These suspects were implicated in activities including large-scale internet fraud, hacking operations, and other cyber offences capable of undermining Nigeria’s national security and economic stability.
“Following meticulous and painstaking investigations, the suspects were arraigned in court on December 2nd, 2024. The trial process, which involved the presentation of robust digital forensic evidence and expert testimonies, has progressed steadily through the judicial system.
“As of Friday, 1st August 2025, twenty-one (21) of the accused have been convicted and sentenced by the competent court of jurisdiction. Prosecution of the remaining defendants continues, with the Police working closely with the Ministry of Justice to ensure full accountability.
“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, has reaffirmed the continuous dedication of the Force to intensifying the fight against all forms of cybercrime.
“He emphasized that the conviction sends a strong message to both local and international cybercriminal networks that Nigeria will not serve as a safe haven for criminal enterprises.
“The Force assures members of the public that it will continue to deploy cutting-edge technology, international collaboration, and diligent investigative processes to dismantle organized cybercrime groups. Further updates on the ongoing prosecutions will be provided as the cases progress in court.”