The Nigeria Police Force has arraigned 113 foreign nationals before the Federal High Court in Abuja on charges related to cybercrime, including computer-related fraud, marketing scams, money laundering, and unlawful access to data.
The arraignment came barely one month after their arrest in Jahi, a suburb of the Federal Capital Territory, following an operation conducted by the National Cyber Crime Centre and Zone 7 Command.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, who confirmed the arraignment on Monday, disclosed that the suspects were arrested and prosecuted to serve as deterrent for other national in the country.
During the operation, police recovered a range of sophisticated digital equipment believed to have been instrumental in the syndicate’s cyber activities.
Recovered items include laptops, smartphones, tablets, routers from multiple brands, a central processing unit, high-capacity servers, drones, multiple SIM cards, gaming devices, international passports, and other travel documents.
A Black Toyota Tundra vehicle and a Harman/Kardon sound system were also among the seized assets.
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.
