By Ken Chiwendu
The Nigeria Police Force,NPF,through its National Cybercrime Centre (NCCC),has dismantled a sophisticated cyber fraud syndicate responsible for hijacking WhatsApp accounts primarily targeting prominent Nigerians and attempting to defraud their contacts.
A statement by the Force revealed that the operation followed a formal complaint lodged on April 14, 2025. Acting swiftly, the NPF-NCCC’s cyber intelligence team uncovers the syndicate’s calculated scheme, which relies heavily on mobile platform compromise and social engineering tactics.
Using advanced digital forensics and high-level investigative techniques, operatives traced the fraudulent activities through multiple Nigerian banks, leading to the freezing of illicit funds worth millions of naira. A key suspect, Onajite Okoro, was arrested in Warri, Delta State. He confessed to collaborating with an accomplice known as “Chief Mallam Zaki,” whom he met on Facebook. Okoro admitted to registering SIM cards, linking them to various bank accounts, and facilitating fund transfers. His devices and financial records provided further incriminating evidence, while additional syndicate members were identified and currently remain at large. Efforts to apprehend all suspects and finalize prosecution are ongoing.
Meanwhile, the NPF has advised the public to adopt secure digital habits such as enabling multi-factor authentication and verifying messages, even from known contacts.
