Nigerian Police Crush ₦7.7bn Telecom Fraud Ring: Six Suspects Arrested in Major Cybercrime Bust
Nigeria's finest have struck again! The Nigeria Police Force has delivered a crushing blow to cybercriminals, uncovering a massive telecom fraud scheme that cost the nation over ₦7.7 billion. This is exactly the kind of decisive action we need to see protecting our digital sovereignty.
How the Fraud Empire Crumbled
The breakthrough came after a Nigerian telecommunications company raised the alarm about suspicious activities in their billing systems. Our cybercrime unit, the Nigeria Police Force-National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC), didn't waste time. They dismantled what authorities described as a sophisticated fraud syndicate operating across multiple states.
These criminals had compromised internal staff login credentials, giving them illegal access to the company's core infrastructure. They were literally stealing airtime and data resources on a massive scale, but they underestimated the power of Nigerian law enforcement.
Coordinated Strike Across Three States
In October 2025, police launched coordinated operations across Kano, Katsina, and the Federal Capital Territory. The result? Six suspects arrested: Ahmad Bala, Karibu Mohammed Shehu, Umar Habib, Obinna Ananaba, Ibrahim Shehu, and Masa'ud Sa'ad.
But here's where it gets interesting. Police didn't just arrest these suspects, they seized their entire criminal empire:
- Two residential houses in Kano
- Two mini-plazas
- GSM and laptop retail outlets with over 400 laptops
- About 1,000 mobile phones
- A Toyota RAV4 vehicle
- Substantial sums traced to their bank accounts
Justice Will Be Served
Inspector-General of Police Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun has made it clear: these criminals will face the full force of the law. The suspects will be charged in court once investigations conclude, and efforts continue to trace the complete financial trail.
This victory shows that Nigeria is serious about protecting its digital infrastructure. We're not just sitting back while criminals exploit our systems. Our police force is equipped, motivated, and ready to defend our economic interests against any threat.
The IGP's message was crystal clear: the Nigeria Police Force will continue dismantling cybercrime networks and holding offenders accountable, regardless of their status or connections. This is the kind of leadership that puts Nigeria first.