By Erewunmi Peace

AThe Nigeria Police Force has successfully secured the conviction of 59 foreign nationals involved in cybercrime, in a major crackdown aimed at curbing internet fraud and other digital crimes targeting the nation.

The operation, conducted on November 3, 2024, in the Jahi area of Abuja, led to the arrest of 130 suspects, including 113 foreign nationals—mostly from China and Malaysia—and 17 Nigerians. These individuals were implicated in large-scale internet fraud, sophisticated hacking, and other cybercriminal activities.

Following thorough investigations and the presentation of digital forensic evidence, 21 suspects were convicted in August 2025, followed by an additional five in September. The recent convictions of 59 more suspects bring the total number of convicted individuals to 85, with trials for the remaining suspects ongoing.

Inspector-General of Police Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun emphasized that these convictions send a strong message to both local and international cybercriminal networks, reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to ensuring that the country does not serve as a safe haven for cybercrime.

This milestone highlights the growing capabilities of the Nigeria Police Force’s National Cybercrime Centre in tackling cyber threats and safeguarding national cybersecurity infrastructure.