By Ebi Kesiena
Nigeria has deported 51 foreign nationals convicted of cyberterrorism and internet fraud, in what authorities describe as a major step in curbing the growing threat of transnational cybercrime. The deportation, carried out by the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), followed convictions handed down by the Federal High Court in Lagos.
The latest action brings the total number of foreign convicts deported to 102 since August 15, 2025, marking an intensification of the country’s crackdown on cybercriminal networks that exploit Nigeria as a base for fraudulent activities.
Majority of Convicts Were Chinese Nationals
According to the NIS, the deported individuals include 50 Chinese nationals and one Tunisian, who were part of a larger syndicate dismantled by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in late 2024. The group was among 192 Chinese and Philippine nationals arrested during an extensive operation in December of that year, after months of surveillance and intelligence gathering.
Investigations revealed that the syndicate had built a sophisticated cyber fraud and Ponzi scheme hub in Nigeria, deploying advanced digital tools to impersonate victims, conduct phishing operations, and siphon funds from unsuspecting individuals worldwide. Beyond direct fraud, the group was also accused of training local recruits and employees in illicit online practices, thereby attempting to entrench cybercrime within the country’s digital ecosystem.
National Security at Risk
The EFCC described the scale of the operation as one of the largest cyber fraud cases in Nigeria’s history. Officials warned that such crimes pose serious risks to national security, economic stability, and Nigeria’s international reputation.
“Cyber fraud and related crimes are not just financial offenses; they are direct threats to our national security and integrity,” EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede said while commenting on the latest deportations. He emphasized that the collaboration between the EFCC, the NIS, and the judiciary reflects Nigeria’s renewed determination to dismantle cybercrime networks, prosecute offenders, and ensure they are expelled from the country once convicted.
Olukoyede noted that cybercriminals exploit Nigeria’s digital and financial systems to orchestrate schemes that drain victims globally while damaging the country’s standing as an investment destination. “Every conviction and deportation sends a strong message that Nigeria is no longer a safe haven for international fraudsters,” he said.
Crackdown Reflects Regional Concerns
Meanwhile, Cybercrime has emerged as one of the fastest-growing security challenges across Africa, with international syndicates exploiting gaps in enforcement and regulation. Nigeria, often unfairly stereotyped as a hub of online scams, has in recent years intensified efforts to reverse the narrative through high-profile arrests, prosecutions, and international cooperation.
Security analysts say that the deportation of over 100 foreign nationals in less than a month signals a shift from reactive measures to proactive enforcement. The focus, they argue, is not only on punishing offenders but also on protecting Nigeria’s cyberspace and ensuring that fraudulent activities do not undermine the country’s economic reforms or scare away foreign investors.
