No fewer than 1,088 suspects linked to various financial crimes have been arrested in separate operations in 2024.
The operations also led to the recovery of $11,450,000 and N142,261,254,228.80, according to a statement on Tuesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi.
Adejobi said the arrests and recoveries were part of Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to address its placement on the Financial Action Task Force grey list.
He said, “In February 2023, Nigeria was placed on the Financial Action Task Force grey list, designating the country as a high-risk jurisdiction for money laundering and terrorism financing.
“In response to this critical situation, the Nigeria Police Force has been actively tackling these issues through the establishment of specialised units such as the Special Anti-Fraud Unit, the National Cybercrime Centre, and the newly launched Anti-Money Laundering Unit.
“Over the past year, these specialised units have made significant strides in combating financial crimes, resulting in the arrest of 1,088 suspects, securing 152 convictions, and recovering a total of $11,450,000 and N142,261,254,228.80.”
Adejobi said the National Cybercrime Centre had been particularly instrumental, accounting for the arrests of 751 cybercrime suspects and recovering N8.82bn, $84,000, and 115,237.91 USDT.
He added that one of the centre’s achievements was a cyber attack on Flutterwave, resulting in the arrest of 179 suspects involved in laundering over N11bn.
Adejobi said, “A notable achievement includes Operation Butterfly Net, addressing a cyberattack on Flutterwave, which led to the arrest of 179 individuals involved in laundering over N11bn.
“In addition to the proactive efforts of the NPF, the establishment of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Sections has bolstered the framework surrounding financial investigations. The training of over 2,000 officers across various units in money laundering and terrorism financing investigations is reflective of the Force’s commitment to improving Nigeria’s global standing in combating financial crimes.”
