The Nigeria Police Force has uncovered a large-scale telecommunications fraud valued at over ₦7.7 billion, following an investigation into the illegal diversion of airtime and data belonging to a Nigerian telecoms company.
The fraud was uncovered by the National Cybercrime Centre of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF–NCCC), which described the operation as a sophisticated cyber-enabled scheme involving unauthorised access to the company’s internal systems.
According to a press release issued on Tuesday, the investigation began after the affected telecommunications company submitted a petition to the police, reporting suspicious activities within its billing and payment systems.
Investigators discovered that login details for internal staff had been compromised, allowing the suspects to gain unlawful access to core systems and divert airtime and data resources over time.
The illegal activities resulted in an estimated financial loss of more than ₦7.7 billion.
Following weeks of surveillance and planning, the police carried out coordinated operations in October 2025 across Kano and Katsina States, with a follow-up arrest later made in the Federal Capital Territory.
The operations led to the arrest of six suspects identified as Ahmad Bala, Karibu Mohammed Shehu, Umar Habib, Obinna Ananaba, Ibrahim Shehu and Masa’ud Sa’ad.
During the arrests, the police recovered assets believed to be proceeds of the crime, including two residential houses in Kano, two mini-plazas, GSM and laptop retail outlets containing over 400 laptops, about 1,000 mobile phones, and a Toyota RAV4 vehicle.
The police also recovered substantial sums of money traced to the suspects’ bank accounts.
The Nigeria Police said the suspects would be charged to court after the conclusion of investigations.
Reacting to the development, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, commended the officers involved in the operation for their professionalism and dedication.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the police to protecting Nigeria’s digital and financial systems.
According to the police, the IGP “reiterates the unwavering resolve of the Nigeria Police Force, through the NPF–NCCC, to safeguard Nigeria’s digital and financial ecosystems, dismantle cyber-criminal networks, and ensure that offenders are held accountable regardless of position or affiliation.”
The police said the case highlights the growing threat of cybercrime in Nigeria and the need for stronger cooperation between security agencies and private organisations to protect critical systems.
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