The Nigeria Police Force has uncovered a major cyber-enabled fraud that led to the illegal diversion of airtime and data belonging to a telecommunications company, with losses put at over N7.7 billion. Six suspects have been arrested in connection with the case, while houses, shops, vehicles, phones, laptops, and large sums of money believed to be proceeds of the crime have been recovered.
The discovery was made by the National Cybercrime Centre (NCCC) of the Nigeria Police Force after a Nigerian telecommunications company submitted a formal petition. The company raised concerns about what it described as suspicious and unauthorised activities within its billing and payment systems. These activities, according to the police, suggested that the company’s internal systems had been compromised.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Force said investigations showed that the suspects gained access to the telecom company’s core systems by compromising the login details of internal staff. With this access, the fraudsters were able to manipulate airtime and data accounts on a large scale, diverting huge volumes for their own use and resale.
Police sources said the operation was well planned and carried out over a long period, making it difficult to detect at the early stages. The suspects allegedly converted the stolen airtime and data into cash by selling them through various channels, including retail outlets and informal networks.
The investigation, which lasted several weeks, involved close surveillance, digital tracking, and intelligence gathering. Based on findings, coordinated arrests were carried out in Kano and Katsina states in October 2025. A follow-up operation later led to the arrest of another suspect in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
The suspects arrested were identified as Ahmad Bala, Karibu Mohammed Shehu, Umar Habib, Obinna Ananaba, Ibrahim Shehu, and Masa’ud Sa’ad. The Police said the suspects played different roles in the fraud network, from gaining system access to distributing and selling the diverted airtime and data.
During the operations, officers recovered several high-value assets believed to have been bought with proceeds from the crime. These include two residential houses in Kano, two mini-plazas, and several GSM and laptop retail outlets. The shops were reportedly stocked with more than 400 laptops and over 1,000 mobile phones.
Also recovered was a Toyota RAV4 vehicle, along with substantial sums of money traced to the suspects’ bank accounts. Police said financial analysis is ongoing to identify other possible accounts and assets linked to the fraud.
“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. It added that the suspects would be charged to court once investigations are concluded.
Cybercrime has become a growing concern in Nigeria, especially as more businesses and individuals rely on digital platforms for communication, banking, and daily transactions. Telecommunications companies are key to this digital system, providing voice, data, and internet services to millions of Nigerians.
In recent years, fraud targeting telecom infrastructure has increased, with criminals using advanced methods to bypass security systems. These crimes not only cause huge financial losses to companies but can also affect service quality for customers, leading to dropped calls, slow internet, and unexpected charges.
The National Cybercrime Centre was set up by the Nigeria Police Force to respond to these growing threats. The centre works with local and international partners to investigate cyber offences, protect critical digital infrastructure, and build capacity to fight online crimes.
Reacting to the latest arrests, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, praised the officers involved for what he described as their professionalism and commitment. He said the success of the operation showed the Police Force’s resolve to tackle cybercrime and protect Nigeria’s digital economy.
“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.
He also reassured the public and corporate organisations that the Police would continue to improve their capacity to respond to cyber threats. According to him, cybercrime is not only a law enforcement issue but also a national security and economic concern.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, who signed the statement at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, urged organisations to strengthen their cybersecurity measures and cooperate with law enforcement agencies when breaches occur. He said early reporting helps investigators act quickly and limit losses.
Members of the public have reacted with concern over the scale of the fraud, with many calling for strict punishment for those found guilty. Some industry observers also urged telecom companies to review their internal security systems and ensure that staff access to sensitive platforms is properly monitored.
For now, the N7.7bn telecom fraud case stands as one of the biggest cybercrime busts recorded by the Nigeria Police Force. It highlights both the risks facing Nigeria’s digital systems and the growing efforts by security agencies to confront modern forms of crime in an increasingly connected society.