On November 4, 2024, the Nigeria Police Force reported the arrest of 130 suspects linked to high-level cybercrimes, hacking, and activities threatening national security.
The group included 113 foreign nationals—87 men and 26 women—mainly from China and Malaysia, as well as 17 Nigerian collaborators (four men and 13 women).
SOLOMON ODENIYI visited the residence and discovered that the suspects had been living under police protection.
The road leading to the house where 113 foreign nationals and their 17 Nigerian collaborators were recently arrested by the Nigeria Police Force for cybercrime offences is a desolate, dusty path, untarred and eerily quiet. The previous day, this reporter had ventured out with determination, scouring the vicinity of the Next Cash and Carry area, only to be met with blank stares and unhelpful directions from residents and commuters.
In a desperate bid to uncover the elusive location, the reporter encountered a commercial motorcyclist who, for an exorbitant fare, boasted of knowing the exact spot. The journey, long and winding, led to a different house entirely—occupied by a foreigner, not the ones under police investigation. Despite the blatant misdirection, the motorcyclist pocketed the agreed fee with a smirk.
The search was further muddled by the police’s vague press release, suggesting the residence was somewhere in the sprawling area around Next Cash and Carry. Refusing to be deterred, Sunday PUNCH set out again at dawn, this time enlisting a more reliable motorcycle operator determined to explore every nook and cranny of Jahi I and II.
After what felt like an endless expedition through the labyrinthine streets, a structure came into view, its walls adorned with bold red paint. The message was unmistakable: ‘Keep off. NPF-NCCC under investigation.’ At last, the elusive house stood before the reporter, its ominous warning confirming the search was over.
The scene was stark; a well-built three-storey building stood out amidst a sea of uncompleted structures and humble kiosks. The air was thick with the weight of unsaid stories and concealed secrets.
