The National Cybercrime Centre of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), has arrested three suspects for cyberstalking, and threat to life.
A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said suspects namely; Adebukola Kolapo, Nnedum Micheal Somtomchukwu and Isaac Akpokighe, all males of ages 27, 25 and 30 respectively are members of a syndicate called Gistlover family, “responsible for the daily running of the Gistlover blog, a microblogging platform known for Cyberstalking, incitement, Blackmail and sundry, which has over the years been a course for public outcry.
While the suspects denied working for Gistlover, however, one of three suspects said he created a fake Gistlover page, to gain followers on his social media page.
The statement read, “In an onward fight against the menace of cyberstalking, a threat to life and blackmailing schemes operating in the guise of microblogging pages and contending with the online safety of many, the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Center, acting on a petition at the instance of Hon. Dr Mrs Seye Oladejo, have arrested three in connection with a case of Conspiracy, Cyberstalking and threat to life.
“The suspects namely Adebukola Kolapo, Nnedum Micheal Somtomchukwu and Isaac Akpokighe, all males of ages 27, 25 and 30 respectively, are members of a syndicate called Gistlover family, responsible for the daily running of the Gistlover blog, a microblogging platform known for Cyberstalking, incitement, Blackmail and sundry, which has over the years been a course for public outcry.
Upon arrest the suspects revealed their various degrees of involvement in the conspiracy, corroborating the already available overwhelming evidence.
“The first suspect, Adebukola Kolapo, a.k.a Omo oba Gistlover, was responsible for the creation of over 80 percent of the Gistlover pages, thereby, lending his digital footprint for the perpetration of the aforementioned criminal act.
“Being on the payroll of the said platform and having enjoyed incentives like car gifts and monies, Adebukola was saddled with the responsibility of scouting, editing and captioning content including the cyberstalking post made against the complainant, Hon.Dr Mrs Oluseyi Oladejo
Adebukola has also contributed to laundering monies obtained from the illegal scheme through various means.
“In more developments, digital Forensic analysis led to the recovery of eight (8) Gistlover pages created on the instruction of the head of the syndicate by Adebukola and wallet addresses used in laundering these monies.
The Second suspect, One Nnedum Somtochukwu, also shared in the conspiracy wherein at every point the page was taken down for certain infractions and violation of policies at the instance of reports from Law Enforcement Agencies, the suspect using his platform will by all means redirect traffic to the new page, helping the blog to evade sanctions.
“Enjoying incentives like referrals for promotions from the head of the syndicate, Nnedum has also been found sharing content, feedback and making defamatory remarks with the said head of the syndicate.
“The Third suspect, Isaac Akpokighe, a 30-year-old male resident of Igando, Lagos State, unlike the duo above, is like hundreds of Nigerians, who have observed the lucrative nature of the Blackmailing, cyberstalking and false information market, decides to imitate the Gistlover blog.
“By so doing, he created several such pages and mirrors the activities of the blog including reposting the defamatory and life-threatening post against the complainant and many other notable Nigerians. Digital forensics led to the recovery of four Gistlover pages created by Isaac Apkokogho.
“The suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigation.
“While strongly warning against all sorts of partnerships that promote the illegal activities of this blog and others engaging in similar activities, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Olukayode Egbetokun, PhD. NPM applauds the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Center, led by CP Uche Ifeanyi Henry, as he reaffirms the commitment of the Force to ensuring the safety of citizens in the physical and digital space.”
