Crackdown On Cybercrime: Nigeria Repatriates 51 More Foreign Nationals

Nigeria’s clampdown on cyber-terrorism and internet fraud has entered a decisive phase as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in collaboration with the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), repatriated another batch of foreign nationals convicted for cyber-related crimes.

In the latest operation, 51 convicts—50 Chinese and one Tunisian—were escorted out of the country after serving jail terms for their roles in what investigators describe as one of the largest foreign-led cybercrime syndicates ever uncovered in Nigeria.

This brings the total number of foreign convicts repatriated since the exercise commenced on August 15, 2025, to 102, underscoring the scale of the syndicate and the government’s resolve to protect the nation’s digital and financial space.

The arrests stem from a massive sting operation carried out in Lagos, where 192 foreign nationals were apprehended following actionable intelligence on coordinated cyberattacks targeting Nigerian institutions and businesses. According to EFCC officials, the syndicate had developed sophisticated tactics to launder proceeds of cyber fraud, while also exploring avenues for cyber-sabotage that posed national security risks.

Authorities have confirmed that further deportations are scheduled in the coming days, with security agencies working closely with international partners to dismantle the syndicate’s wider network and recover illicit funds traced to offshore accounts.

For Nigeria, the mass repatriations are both a signal and a warning: the country is no longer a safe haven for cybercriminals, regardless of nationality. As the government sharpens its focus on digital security, the EFCC insists the crackdown will continue until all traces of the syndicate are rooted out.