59 Foreign Nationals Convicted in Abuja Cybercrime Crackdown

In the digital age, crime doesn’t always happen in dark alleys, it happens behind glowing screens.
And this time, it took a massive police operation in Abuja to bring down a cybercrime network that stretched far beyond Nigeria’s borders. According to the Nigeria Police Force, 59 foreign nationals have been convicted for their roles in an international cybercrime syndicate.

                                

The raid that started it all

• The National Cybercrime Center (NCC) launched a coordinated raid in the Jahi neighborhood of Abuja on November 3, 2024.

• Out of 130 arrests, 17 were Nigerians and 113 were foreign nationals, mainly from China and Malaysia.

• Investigators say the suspects were deeply involved in advanced hacking, large-scale internet fraud, and other forms of cyber exploitation targeting individuals and institutions.

CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, the Lagos Police Command spokesperson, confirmed that 59 of the foreign suspects have now been convicted following forensic investigations and court proceedings.

He detailed the timeline:

• 21 convictions in August 2025

• 5 convictions in September 2025

• 59 new convictions as of this latest update
  In total, 85 individuals have now been found guilty, while trials for the remaining suspects are still ongoing.

CSP Hundeyin described the convictions as “a significant step forward in the fight against cybercriminals,” praising the NCC’s tireless efforts in tracking and dismantling digital crime rings.

Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun reinforced the message, warning that “Nigeria will not become a sanctuary for cybercriminals.”
He also emphasized the Force’s ongoing investment in technology and training to strengthen its response to digital threats.