Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) have arrested several suspects in connection with an alleged N7.7 billion telecom data fraud involving unauthorized access to a telecommunications company’s network systems.
The NPF-NCCC disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday by its Police Public Liaison Officer, DSP Unwana Imah.
According to the statement, the investigation commenced following a complaint by a leading telecommunications service provider over the compromise and unauthorized use of staff login credentials.
Preliminary findings revealed that between Oct. 1 and Nov. 28, 2024, the suspects allegedly gained unlawful access to the company’s network billing infrastructure and fraudulently generated airtime, which was subsequently converted into data bundles.
The data bundles were thereafter distributed and sold through a network of vendors across the country, the police said.
The statement noted that several suspects had been arrested in connection with the case, while investigators recovered more than 400 laptops, 1,000 mobile phones, Point of Sale (POS) machines, cash exhibits and other evidential materials.
It added that the telecommunications provider was able to reverse approximately 2,931.79 terabytes of fraudulently obtained data valued at about N3.8 billion.
The police further stated that investigations uncovered the involvement of both insiders and external collaborators in the alleged fraud.
It explained that in a second phase of operations conducted in May 2026, NPF-NCCC operatives, acting on intelligence, carried out coordinated raids in Kano, Katsina and Zamfara states.
The operation led to the arrest of key suspects identified as Musa Muhammed Kwandi, Nura Sadauki and Aminu Muhammed.
Other suspects arrested in connection with the investigation include Musa Hassan Mohammed, an information technology specialist, Samson Alisigwe and Yusuf Shehu.
According to the police, all the suspects are believed to have benefited from proceeds of the alleged criminal enterprise.
The statement said sustained financial investigations and asset-tracing efforts led to the recovery of nearly N90 million, two residential houses in Kano State, a mini-plaza and a Toyota RAV4 vehicle suspected to be proceeds of the crime.
The NPF-NCCC said investigations were ongoing to identify other accomplices, trace additional assets and ensure the prosecution of all persons found culpable.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to protecting the nation’s critical digital infrastructure and combating cybercrime.
He also urged members of the public with useful information relating to cybercrime activities to contact the NPF-NCCC through its e-reporting portal or official social media platforms.
The police said the case underscored the growing sophistication of cyber-enabled crimes and the need for continued collaboration among law enforcement agencies,