The Nigeria Police Force, operating from Zone 2 headquarters in Onikan, Lagos, has announced the arrest of three individuals implicated in criminal conspiracy, cybercrime, forgery, impersonation, and cultism. This development stemmed from intelligence gathered by detectives within the Zonal Intelligence Department (ZID).
DSP Afolayan Gbenga, the Police Public Relations Officer, stated that the operation, conducted on January 7th, 2026, in the Lekki-Ajah area of Lagos State, resulted in the apprehension of Tega Emmanuel, aged 24, Jacob Olatunde, 33, and Gift Okubakpere, 36.
Tega Emmanuel was initially intercepted on Chevron Drive along the Lekki-Ajah expressway while driving a Porsche. He reportedly admitted to engaging in cybercrime activities. A subsequent search of his residence led to the capture of the other two suspects, Jacob Olatunde and Gift Okubakpere.
During their interrogations, the arrested individuals confessed to their respective roles in a coordinated cybercrime scheme. Tega Emmanuel confessed to orchestrating cyber fraud, romance scams, and the creation of fraudulent accounts. Jacob Olatunde admitted to managing financial transactions and receiving illicit funds, while Gift Okubakpere was reportedly responsible for cryptocurrency scams conducted through platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, and Telegram, as well as cryptocurrency exchanges and online banking.
Authorities reported the recovery of several exhibits, including three HP laptops, one Apple MacBook laptop, two MacBook tablets, and nine iPhones containing evidence of criminal activities. Devices used for fraudulent transactions, six international passports, Lagos State vehicle number plates (LSR 235 JM, FKJ 558 JK), three dealer plate numbers, military camouflage, a mini printer, and a toy gun, which one suspect claimed was for skit production, were also seized.
Additionally, investigators recovered 98 suspected counterfeit US Dollar notes, illicit drugs believed to be Indian hemp, and smoking paraphernalia.
Further investigations are underway with relevant agencies to verify the status of the suspected counterfeit currency and illicit drugs.
The Assistant Inspector General of Police, Olohundare Moshood Jimoh, commended the officers for their professional execution of the operation. He assured the public that the suspects would face prosecution upon the completion of the investigation.
AIG Jimoh reiterated the commitment of Zone 2 Headquarters to persistently combatting fraud-related offenses across Lagos and Ogun states.
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