[REVISION HISTORY]

OPay misinformation and legal response

Updated 2 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-09-10 14:56 UTC → 2026-09-28 13:32 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Fintech company OPay has been addressing viral social media rumors claiming the platform would undergo an indefinite operational shutdown starting September 1, 2026. The company initially debunked these claims, noting that the fraudulent notices used an outdated logo and incorrect branding to incite panic among customers. Following the spread of this misinformation, OPay escalated its response by requesting investigations from the Nigeria Police and the Department of State Services (DSS). The company stated that the rumors are capable of “disrupting the Nigerian financial system and causing financial losses.” Chief Legal Counsel Akinfolabi Rokosu confirmed the company is cooperating with law enforcement and has provided evidence to identify those responsible. OPay has also issued legal threats against specific parties, including social commentator Adamu B. Garba II and ViralGrabTVNG, demanding retractions and apologies for what it describes as “false, malicious, and defamatory” claims. On September 4, the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) arrested 27-year-old Hafsat Abubakar for allegedly circulating a forged notice. The fraudulent document, which gained approximately 572,000 views, reportedly urged followers to “REMOVE YOUR MONEY NOW.” Digital forensic analysis traced the publication to Abubakar’s social media handles. While police recovered three mobile phones during her arrest, the incident has sparked public debate, with some calling for compassion toward the suspect after she reportedly complied with requests to delete the post and apologize. On September 28, OPay dismissed a new wave of viral claims suggesting the company had stopped using phone numbers as account numbers. These rumors advised users to visit agents to convert accounts to standard bank account numbers. An OPay official described the claims as inaccurate, stating that any major changes to the account system would be communicated through official channels.

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