Nigeria’s police say they have uncovered a cyber-enabled fraud scheme that led to the illegal diversion of telecommunications airtime and data valued at more than 7.7 billion naira ($8.3 million), arresting six suspects and recovering multiple assets linked to the crime.
The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre said the investigation began after a Nigerian telecommunications company petitioned authorities over suspicious and unauthorized activities within its billing and payment systems.
Police said internal staff login credentials were compromised, allowing the suspects unlawful access to core infrastructure used to divert airtime and data resources.
Following weeks of investigation, coordinated operations were carried out in October 2025 in Kano and Katsina states, with a follow-up arrest in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Police identified the suspects as Ahmad Bala, Karibu Mohammed Shehu, Umar Habib, Obinna Ananaba, Ibrahim Shehu and Masa’ud Sa’ad.
Items recovered include two residential houses in Kano, two mini-plazas, GSM and laptop retail outlets containing more than 400 laptops and about 1,000 mobile phones, as well as a Toyota RAV4 vehicle. Authorities also said substantial sums of money traced to the suspects’ bank accounts were recovered.
Police said all recovered assets are believed to be proceeds of the fraud. The suspects will be charged to court upon completion of the investigation.
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, commended officers involved in the operation, praising their professionalism.
Police said the force remains committed to protecting Nigeria’s digital and financial systems, dismantling cybercrime networks and ensuring offenders are held accountable regardless of status or affiliation.