The Nigeria Police Force has uncovered a cyber-enabled telecommunications fraud worth an estimated N7.7 billion, involving the illegal diversion of airtime and data, leading to the arrest of six suspects.
The investigation, carried out by the National Cybercrime Centre (NPF–NCCC), followed a petition from a telecommunications company reporting suspicious and unauthorized activities within its billing and payment systems.
According to Force Public Relations Officer ACP Benjamin Hundeyin, internal staff login credentials were compromised, granting unauthorized access to the company’s core infrastructure. The syndicate exploited this breach to divert airtime and data, causing estimated losses exceeding N7.7 billion.
Coordinated operations in October 2025 across Kano and Katsina states, with follow-up action in the Federal Capital Territory, led to the arrest of six individuals: Ahmad Bala, Karibu Mohammed Shehu, Umar Habib, Obinna Ananaba, Ibrahim Shehu, and Masa’ud Sa’ad. Recovered assets include two residential houses in Kano, two mini-plazas, GSM and laptop retail outlets with over 400 laptops and 1,000 mobile phones, and a Toyota RAV4, all allegedly procured with proceeds from the fraud.
Inspector-General of Police Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun commended the officers involved and reaffirmed the commitment of the NPF–NCCC to safeguarding Nigeria’s digital and financial ecosystems, dismantling cybercrime networks, and ensuring offenders are brought to justice regardless of status or affiliation.
