The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) has arrested several suspects linked to a massive telecommunications data fraud estimated at ₦7.7 billion.
According to a statement issued by the Police Public Liaison Officer of the NPF-NCCC, DSP Unwana Imah, the investigation began after a leading telecommunications company reported the compromise and unauthorized use of its staff login credentials.
Preliminary findings revealed that between October 1 and November 28, 2024, the suspects unlawfully accessed the company’s network billing infrastructure and fraudulently generated airtime, which was subsequently converted into data bundles and sold through a network of vendors across the country.
The police said the operation led to the arrest of several suspects and the recovery of more than 400 laptops, 1,000 mobile phones, Point of Sale (POS) machines, cash exhibits, and other incriminating materials.
The affected telecommunications company was also able to reverse approximately 2,931.79 terabytes of fraudulently acquired data valued at about ₦3.8 billion.
Further investigations uncovered the involvement of both insiders and external collaborators in the scheme.
In a second phase of the operation conducted in May 2026, operatives of the NPF-NCCC, acting on intelligence, carried out coordinated raids in Kano, Katsina, and Zamfara states, resulting in the arrest of key suspects identified as Musa Muhammed Kwandi, Nura Sadauki, and Aminu Muhammed.
Other suspects arrested include Musa Hassan Mohammed, an IT specialist, Samson Alisigwe, and Yusuf Shehu, who are believed to have benefited from the proceeds of the fraudulent activities.
The police disclosed that through financial investigations and asset tracing, they recovered nearly ₦90 million, two residential houses in Kano State, a mini-plaza, and a Toyota RAV4 vehicle believed to be proceeds of the crime.
The NPF-NCCC said investigations are ongoing to identify additional accomplices, trace more assets, and ensure the prosecution of all those involved.
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to safeguarding the nation’s critical digital infrastructure and tackling cybercrime.
The police also urged members of the public with useful information to report through the NPF-NCCC’s e-reporting platform or its official social media channels.
