The Nigeria Police Force, through its National Cybercrime Centre (NPF–NCCC), has uncovered and dismantled a sophisticated cyber fraud network responsible for the large-scale diversion of telecom airtime and data, with estimated losses exceeding ₦7.7 billion.
In a statement released on January 28, 2026, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed that the operation was initiated following a petition from a Nigerian telecommunications company over suspicious and unauthorised activities detected within its billing and payment platforms.
Investigations revealed that the login details of some company staff were compromised, granting the syndicate illegal access to critical network systems, which they exploited to unlawfully reroute substantial volumes of airtime and data for financial gain.
Following weeks of intelligence-led surveillance and coordinated planning, police operatives carried out simultaneous raids in October 2025 across Kano and Katsina States, with further arrests later made in the Federal Capital Territory. Six suspects were taken into custody, identified as Ahmad Bala, Karibu Mohammed Shehu, Umar Habib, Obinna Ananaba, Ibrahim Shehu and Masa’ud Sa’ad.
Recovered items include two residential properties and two mini-plazas in Kano, several GSM and computer sales outlets containing over 400 laptops and about 1,000 mobile phones, as well as a Toyota RAV4 SUV. Substantial funds traced to the suspects’ bank accounts were also frozen and recovered, all believed to be proceeds of the illicit operation.
The police confirmed that the suspects will be charged to court upon the completion of investigations.
Commending the operatives, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, lauded their professionalism and reiterated the commitment of the NPF, through the National Cybercrime Centre, to safeguarding Nigeria’s digital and financial systems and ensuring that cybercriminals are decisively brought to justice.
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