Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force Zone 2 Headquarters in Lagos have arrested three suspects involved in a cybercrime syndicate, with allegations of criminal conspiracy, fraud, cybercrime, forgery, impersonation, and cultism.

The suspects, Tega Emmanuel (24), Jacob Olatunde (33), and Gift Okubakpere (36), were arrested following a targeted operation in the Lekki-Ajah axis of Lagos State on January 7, 2026.

Tega Emmanuel was intercepted while driving a Porsche vehicle and confessed to coordinating cyber fraud, romance scams, and generating fraudulent accounts.

The police recovered several exhibits, including laptops, iPhones, international passports, vehicle number plates, and a toy gun.

The suspects allegedly used Facebook, WhatsApp, Telegram, and online banking platforms to carry out their scams.

Tega Emmanuel was reportedly intercepted on the Chevron Drive section of the Lekki–Ajah Expressway while driving a Porsche.

He later confessed to involvement in cybercrime activities.

Further investigation and a search at Emmanuel’s residence led to the arrest of the two other suspects.

During interrogation, the police said the suspects admitted to their roles in a coordinated cybercrime network: Emmanuel allegedly coordinated cyber fraud, including romance scams and fake account creation.

Olatunde reportedly handled financial transactions and the collection of illicit funds and Okubakpere was said to manage cryptocurrency-related scams across platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Telegram, and online banking channels.

Police operatives recovered several items believed to be linked to the criminal activities, including: Laptops and mobile devices containing alleged evidence, Multiple international passports, Vehicle number plates and dealer plates, Military camouflage, A mini printer, A toy gun reportedly used for skit production, 98 pieces of suspected counterfeit $100 notes, and suspected illicit drugs and smoking paraphernalia.

Authorities disclosed that relevant agencies have been engaged to verify the authenticity of the recovered foreign currency and substances.

The Zone 2 Command assured the public that the suspects would be prosecuted upon the conclusion of investigations.

“Efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the syndicate,” the command stated.

The police also reiterated their commitment to intensifying operations against cybercrime and related offences, urging residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities.

The breakthrough was recorded under the leadership of Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, as part of ongoing efforts to clamp down on fraud-related offences across Lagos and Ogun states.

According to a statement issued by the command, the arrests followed credible intelligence received by operatives of the Zonal Intelligence Department (ZID) on January 7, 2026.

The Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG Olohundare Jimoh, assured the public that the suspects will be prosecuted upon conclusion of investigations and efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the syndicate.

NPF ZONE 2 HEADQUARTERS, LAGOS
PRESS RELEASE

ZONE 2 OPERATIVES ARREST SUSPECTS FOR CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY, FRAUD, CYBERCRIME, FORGERY, IMPERSONATION, CULTISM,; RECOVER A TOY GUN AND OTHER EXHIBITS.
The Nigeria Police Force, Zone 2 headquarters Onikan, Lagos under the leadership of AIG Olohundare Moshood Jimoh, has recorded a breakthrough in its sustained fight against fraud related offences with the arrest of three suspects involved in criminal conspiracy, cyber crime, forgery, impersonation, and cultism.

Following credible intelligence received by detectives attached to the Zonal Intelligence Department (ZID) on 7th of January, 2026, a precise and targeted operation was conducted in the Lekki−Ajah axis of Lagos State. The operation led to the arrest of Tega Emmanuel (male, 24 years old), Jacob Olatunde (male, 33 years old) and Gift Okubakpere (male, 36 years old).

Tega Emmanuel was intercepted along Chevron drive, Lekki − Ajah expressway, while driving a Porsche vehicle. He confessed to his involvement in cyber crime activities. A search warrant executed at his residence subsequently led to the arrest of two other suspects, Jacob Olatunde and Gift Okubakpere.

During interrogation, the suspects confessed to their various roles in the coordinated cyber crime operation. Tega Emmanuel confessed to coordinating cyber fraud, romance scams, and generating fraudulent accounts. Jacob Olatunde confessed to handling financial transactions and managing collection of Illicit funds while Gift Okubakpere was responsible for managing crypto currency related scams carried out via Facebook, WhatsApp, Telegram, crypto currency platforms and Online banking platforms.

Further investigations led to the recovery of the following exhibits: three HP Laptops, one Apple MacBook Laptop, two MacBook Tablets, nine iPhones containing evidences 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, one mini printer,one toy gun (pistol) which the suspect claimed was used for skit production. Also recovered were 98pieces of suspected counterfeit 100−Dollar United States currency note, illicit drugs suspected to be Indian hemp and smoking paraphernalia.

Investigations have been extended to relevant agencies to confirm the status of the suspected counterfeit currency and illicit drugs.

The Assistant Inspector General of Police assures members of the public that the suspects will be prosecuted upon the conclusion of investigations. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the syndicate.

He further reaffirms the commitment of the Zone 2 Headquarters to sustaining the fight against fraud related offences within Lagos and Ogun state.

DSP AFOLAYAN GBENGA, anipr,
POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
FOR: ASSISTANT INSPECTOR−GENERAL OF POLICE
ZONE 2 HEADQUARTERS
LAGOS.
02/04/2026.