The Nigeria Police Force has uncovered a large-scale cyber-enabled telecom fraud valued at N7.7 billion, following an investigation by its National Cybercrime Centre. The case emerged after a Nigerian telecom operator filed a petition reporting suspicious and unauthorised activity within its billing and payment systems.
Police spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin said investigations revealed that internal staff login credentials had been compromised, allowing threat actors to gain unlawful access to core systems and divert airtime and data resources. Coordinated enforcement operations were carried out in October 2025 across Kano and Katsina states, with a follow-up arrest in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Six suspects — Ahmad Bala, Karibu Shehu, Umar Habib, Obinna Ananaba, Ibrahim Shehu, and Masa’ud Sa’ad — were arrested in connection with the alleged fraud. Assets recovered include two residential properties in Kano, two mini-plazas, GSM and laptop retail outlets containing more than 400 laptops and 1,000 mobile phones, and a Toyota RAV4 vehicle. Police said the properties and funds recovered from bank accounts were proceeds of the crime.
The suspects are expected to be charged to court after investigations are concluded. Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun commended the officers involved and reaffirmed the police force’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s digital and financial systems.
