Nigeria Police Uncover Massive ₦7.7 Billion Telecom Fraud Scheme
The Nigeria Police Force has made a significant breakthrough in combating cybercrime with the dismantling of a sophisticated telecom fraud syndicate that caused estimated losses exceeding ₦7.7 billion. This major development represents one of the largest cyber-enabled financial crimes uncovered in Nigeria's telecommunications sector in recent years.
Sophisticated Cybercrime Operation Exposed
According to an official statement released by Force Public Relations Officer CSP Benjamin Hundeyin from Force Headquarters in Abuja, the investigation began following a formal petition submitted by a Nigerian telecommunications company. The company had raised serious concerns about suspicious and unauthorized activities within its billing and payment systems that pointed to systematic financial irregularities.
Police investigations revealed that the fraud syndicate had managed to compromise internal staff login credentials, providing them with unlawful access to the company's core infrastructure. This security breach enabled the cybercriminals to illegally divert substantial airtime and data resources on an industrial scale, manipulating the telecom company's systems for massive financial gain.
Coordinated Arrests Across Multiple States
Following weeks of intensive intelligence gathering and surveillance operations, police launched coordinated enforcement actions in October 2025 across Kano and Katsina states. A subsequent follow-up operation led to additional arrests in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, bringing the total number of apprehended suspects to six.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Ahmad Bala, Karibu Mohammed Shehu, Umar Habib, Obinna Ananaba, Ibrahim Shehu, and Masa'ud Sa'ad. These suspects are believed to be key members of the sophisticated fraud network that operated across multiple Nigerian states.
Substantial Assets Recovered as Proceeds of Crime
During the coordinated raids, police recovered significant assets believed to have been acquired through proceeds from the alleged telecom fraud operation. The seized items include:
- Two residential houses located in Kano
- Two mini-plazas with commercial value
- GSM and laptop retail outlets containing over 400 laptops
- Approximately 1,000 mobile phones of various models
- A Toyota RAV4 vehicle
- Substantial sums of money traced to the suspects' bank accounts
These recoveries represent tangible evidence of the massive scale of the fraudulent operation and the significant financial benefits the syndicate had derived from their criminal activities.
Police Leadership Commends Investigative Team
Inspector-General of Police Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun personally commended the officers involved in the operation for their professionalism and dedication in dismantling the sophisticated fraud network. The IGP specifically praised the Nigeria Police Force–National Cybercrime Centre (NPF–NCCC) operatives who led the investigation and enforcement actions.
In his statement, Egbetokun reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force, through the NPF–NCCC, to protect Nigeria's digital and financial systems from cybercriminals. He emphasized that the police will continue to aggressively dismantle cybercrime networks and ensure that offenders face appropriate legal consequences, regardless of their social status or affiliations.
Legal Proceedings and Ongoing Investigations
The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed that all six suspects will face formal charges in court upon the conclusion of ongoing investigations. Authorities have indicated that efforts are continuing to fully trace the financial trail of the fraudulent activities and identify any additional collaborators who may have been involved with the syndicate.
This case highlights the growing sophistication of cybercrime in Nigeria's telecommunications sector and demonstrates the enhanced capabilities of law enforcement agencies in investigating and prosecuting complex digital financial crimes. The successful operation serves as a warning to cybercriminals that Nigeria's law enforcement agencies are increasingly equipped to detect, investigate, and dismantle sophisticated fraud networks operating in the digital space.
