Residents of Jahi, a suburb in Abuja, have expressed shock following the arrest of 130 suspects, including 113 foreign nationals, over cybercrime allegations. The Nigeria Police Force revealed that the suspects—87 men and 26 women primarily from China and Malaysia, along with 17 Nigerian collaborators—were apprehended for alleged high-level cybercrimes and actions that posed a threat to national security.
A key detail that has stunned many in the neighborhood is the revelation that the foreign nationals had been living under police protection. According to local resident Sanusi, the foreigners moved into a completed three-storey building in August 2024, with police officers visibly guarding the premises.
“I thought they were expatriates because of the police presence. Seeing them get arrested was shocking, especially since there were always officers stationed at their house,” Sanusi said.
Police Officers Guarded Suspected Hackers’ Residence
Locals said they had not suspected any wrongdoing because of the discreet lifestyle of the foreign nationals and the constant police security.
“The Chinese were not loud. They drove modest cars and mostly kept to themselves. The presence of police made it seem like they were legitimate,” Sanusi added.
A guard who works opposite the suspects’ residence echoed similar sentiments.
“The foreigners were new here and had police and regular security guards with them. They kept a low profile. The police vehicle was often parked outside,” he said.
Another resident, Mustapha Bazkware, suspected that the house might have been a government “safe house” due to frequent visits by government officials in SUVs with sirens.
“I thought it was a secure location for officials, maybe for intelligence personnel. It never occurred to me that illegal activities could be going on there,” Bazkware explained.
Locals Describe Arrest Scene
Witnesses described how the police arrived in large numbers to arrest the suspects, loading them into waiting vehicles. One female hawker confirmed that heavy police presence had always surrounded the property but noted that the officers had recently been changed.
“I don’t know what those people did, but there were always police and security guards,” she said.
Some residents also noticed that three Nigerian suspects arrested with the foreigners were released and seen re-entering the house.
“I saw three Nigerians, who were arrested with the foreigners, return on Thursday,” a trader confirmed. Sanusi also corroborated the release of some Nigerian suspects, though efforts to speak with them failed due to tight security.
Police Mum on Allegations of Protection
Efforts to get comments from Force Spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi about the allegations that the arrested suspects were previously protected by police did not yield results. Adejobi initially promised to respond but had yet to provide any feedback.
Residents remain baffled about how foreign nationals allegedly involved in cybercrimes could have lived under the watchful eyes of law enforcement.
“It raises many questions. How could they have been committing crimes with such a visible police presence? Was it a cover, or were they simply hiding in plain sight?” Sanusi pondered.
The Nigeria Police Force had earlier described the arrests as part of its intensified efforts to tackle cybercrimes and ensure national security.