The Nigeria Police Force, through the National Cybercrime Centre (NPF–NCCC), has uncovered a large-scale cyber-enabled telecommunications fraud estimated at over N7.7 billion, leading to the arrest of six suspects and the recovery of high-value assets.
The fraud was exposed following a petition by a Nigerian telecommunications company, which raised alarm over suspicious and unauthorised activities within its billing and payment systems.
Police investigations revealed that the login credentials of internal staff had been compromised, allowing cybercriminals to gain unlawful access to the company’s core infrastructure and divert airtime and data resources for illegal profit.
After weeks of intelligence gathering and surveillance, coordinated enforcement operations were conducted in October 2025 across Kano and Katsina States, with a follow-up arrest in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The operations resulted in the arrest of six suspects identified as Ahmad Bala, Karibu Mohammed Shehu, Umar Habib, Obinna Ananaba, Ibrahim Shehu, and Masa’ud Sa’ad.
Items recovered during the operations include two residential houses in Kano, two mini-plazas, GSM and laptop retail outlets stocked with over 400 laptops and more than 1,000 mobile phones, as well as a Toyota RAV4 vehicle.
Police said the recovered assets are believed to be proceeds of the crime. In addition, substantial sums of money traced to the suspects’ bank accounts were also recovered.
The suspects are expected to be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
Commending the officers involved, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, praised their professionalism and dedication.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to protecting the country’s digital and financial systems, dismantling cybercrime networks, and ensuring that all offenders are brought to justice, regardless of their status or affiliation.
