The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has said police officers protecting the arrested foreign hackers were on an illegal duty.
On November 4, the Nigeria Police Force announced 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.
However, in an investigation, it was discovered that the foreigners enjoyed police protection before their arrest.
Reacting to the report on Monday at a workshop organised for the standardisation of criminal investigations, Egbetokun said the police officers had been arrested and were currently being detained.
He said, “And the fact that some policemen were also seen protecting these foreigners. Yes, it is true. The policemen have been arrested. We found out that the policemen were on illegal duty. Nobody deployed them.
“They were not properly deployed for that assignment.”
He noted that their commander had disowned them, vowing that the police officers protecting the foreigners would be dealt with.
Peoplesmind
