Nigeria Police Arrest Six Suspects Over ₦7.7 Billion Telecoms Cyber Fraud
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has arrested six suspects in connection with a large-scale cyberattack on an unnamed Nigerian telecommunications company, which allegedly resulted in the diversion of airtime and mobile data valued at over ₦7.7 billion.
The arrests were confirmed in a statement issued by Benjamin Hundeyin, the Force Public Relations Officer, who disclosed that the operation was conducted in collaboration with the National Cybercrime Centre (NPF–NCCC).
How the Telecoms Hack Was Carried Out
According to the police, the investigation was triggered by a formal petition from the affected telecoms company, which reported irregular activities within its billing and payment systems.
Further forensic analysis revealed that the suspects had compromised internal staff login credentials, granting them unauthorised access to critical backend infrastructure. This access was allegedly used to manipulate systems and divert airtime and mobile data at scale.
Coordinated Arrests Across Three Locations
Hundeyin stated that coordinated operations were carried out in October 2025 across Kano and Katsina States, with a follow-up arrest later made in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The suspects arrested include:
- Ahmad Bala
- Karibu Mohammed Shehu
- Umar Habib
- Obinna Ananaba
- Ibrahim Shehu
- Masa’ud Sa’ad
Recovered Assets and Evidence
During the operation, the NPF recovered several assets and facilities allegedly used in executing the cybercrime. These include:
- Two residential houses in Kano
- Two mini-plazas
- GSM and laptop retail outlets
- Over 400 laptops
- More than 1,000 mobile phones
- A Toyota RAV4 vehicle
The police also confirmed that substantial sums of money traced to the suspects’ bank accounts were recovered as part of the investigation. All six suspects are expected to be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
IGP Commends Cybercrime Unit
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, commended the officers involved for their professionalism and diligence. He reiterated that the NPF, through the National Cybercrime Centre, remains committed to protecting Nigeria’s digital and financial ecosystems and ensuring that cybercriminals are held accountable.
Nigeria Police Intensify Cybercrime Crackdown
The arrests form part of a broader, sustained crackdown by the NPF-NCCC on organised cybercriminal networks operating within Nigeria.
In October 2025, the cybercrime unit secured the conviction of 59 foreign nationals linked to a major international internet fraud syndicate. The suspects were involved in high-level cyber offences, including large-scale online fraud and advanced hacking operations.
These convictions brought the total number of individuals convicted in the case to 85, following the earlier sentencing of 21 suspects in August 2025 and five others in September 2025.
About the National Cybercrime Centre (NCCC)
The National Cybercrime Centre was inaugurated in July 2024 as an ultra-modern, state-of-the-art facility designed to combat digital crimes and dismantle organised cyber fraud networks, commonly referred to as Yahoo Boys.
The Nigeria Police Force stated that it has restructured, upgraded, and equipped the cybercrime unit with experienced personnel and advanced tools to enhance operational effectiveness and ensure the safety of Nigeria’s cyberspace.
What You Should Know
The ₦7.7 billion telecoms fraud case highlights growing cyber risks within Nigeria’s digital infrastructure, particularly as telecoms, fintech, and payment platforms become more interconnected.
It also underscores the increasing capacity of Nigerian law enforcement to investigate and prosecute complex cyber-enabled financial crimes, as authorities intensify efforts to secure the country’s digital economy.
