Three suspects in criminal conspiracy, cybercrime, forgery, impersonation, and cultism have been taken into custody by the Nigeria Police Force’s Zone 2 headquarters in Onikan, Lagos.

The breakthrough came after detectives affiliated with the Zonal Intelligence Department (ZID) received reliable intelligence, according to a statement released by Police Public Relations Officer DSP Afolayan Gbenga. 

According to the statement, Tega Emmanuel, a 24-year-old man, Jacob Olatunde, a 33-year-old man, and Gift Okubakpere, a 36-year-old man, were arrested as a result of the operation conducted on January 7, 2026, in the Lekki-Ajah axis of Lagos State.

Tega Emmanuel was stopped while operating a Porsche on Chevron Drive on the Lekki–Ajah motorway. He acknowledged that he had engaged in cybercrime. Two additional suspects, Jacob Olatunde and Gift Okubakpere, were later apprehended following the execution of a search warrant at his home.

The suspects admitted to their various roles in the coordinated cybercrime operation during questioning.

Tega Emmanuel admitted to organizing romance scams, creating false accounts, and cyber fraud. While Gift Okubakpere was in charge of overseeing cryptocurrency-related scams conducted through Facebook, WhatsApp, Telegram, cryptocurrency platforms, and online banking platforms, Jacob Olatunde admitted to managing financial transactions and the collection of illicit funds.

Three HP laptops, one Apple MacBook laptop, two MacBook tablets, nine iPhones with evidence of criminal activity, 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, and one toy gun (pistol) that the suspect claimed was used for skit production were all recovered, according to police.

Also recovered were 98pieces of suspected counterfeit 100−Dollar United States currency notes, illicit drugs suspected to be Indian hemp, and smoking paraphernalia.

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

The Assistant Inspector General of Police, Olohundare Moshood Jimoh,  commended the officers involved for their professionalism and assured members of the public that the suspects will be prosecuted upon the conclusion of investigations.

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