How Police Uncovered N7.7bn Cyber-Enabled Telecom Fraud, Nabbed Six

The Nigeria Police Force has uncovered a large-scale cyber-enabled fraud involving the illegal diversion of a telecommunications company’s airtime and data resources, with losses estimated at more than ₦7.7 billion.

The Force, through the National Cybercrime Centre, said six suspects were arrested in connection with the scheme, while several high-value assets believed to be proceeds of the crime were recovered.

According to the Police, the investigation began after a Nigerian telecommunications company petitioned authorities over “suspicious and unauthorised activities” detected within its billing and payment systems.

Investigators discovered that the fraudsters gained access to the company’s core infrastructure after compromising internal staff login credentials, allowing them to manipulate airtime and data resources on a massive scale.

Following weeks of surveillance and intelligence-led operations, coordinated arrests were carried out in Kano and Katsina states in October 2025, with a follow-up arrest in the Federal Capital Territory.

The suspects arrested were identified as Ahmad Bala, Karibu Mohammed Shehu, Umar Habib, Obinna Ananaba, Ibrahim Shehu, and Masa’ud Sa’ad.

Police said items recovered during the operation included two residential houses in Kano, two mini-plazas, GSM and laptop retail outlets stocked with over 400 laptops and 1,000 mobile phones, as well as a Toyota RAV4 vehicle. Substantial sums of money traced to the suspects’ bank accounts were also recovered.

“The syndicate was responsible for the illegal diversion of a telecommunications company’s airtime and data resources, resulting in an estimated financial loss of over N7.7 billion,” the Force said in a statement on Tuesday.

The Police added that the suspects would be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.

Reacting to the development, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, commended the officers involved for what he described as professionalism and diligence.

“The Nigeria Police Force remains unwavering in its resolve to safeguard Nigeria’s digital and financial ecosystems, dismantle cybercriminal networks, and ensure that offenders are held accountable regardless of their position or affiliation,” the IGP said.

The statement was signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.