Nigeria Police Dismantle Syndicate in N7.7 Billion Telecom Fraud Case
The Nigeria Police Force–National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) has announced the arrest of six individuals allegedly involved in a sophisticated N7.7 billion telecommunications fraud scheme. The operation, which targeted the illegal diversion of airtime and data resources, marks a significant move in the national effort to secure the digital economy. According to Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, the arrests followed a detailed investigation initiated by a petition from a major telecommunications company concerning anomalies in its billing systems.
Authorities described the group as a sophisticated cyber-enabled fraud syndicate. Coordinated enforcement operations in October 2025 across Kano and Katsina states, with a subsequent arrest in the Federal Capital Territory, led to the apprehension of suspects Ahmad Bala, Karibu Mohammed Shehu, Umar Habib, Obinna Ananaba, Ibrahim Shehu, and Masa’ud Sa’ad. The police stated there was no breakthrough ‘constructive’ engagement from the suspects initially, leading to the tactical raids. The operation also resulted in the recovery of multiple high-value assets allegedly purchased with the illicit proceeds, underscoring the scale of the alleged fraud.
The police investigation revealed that the syndicate gained unauthorized access to critical telecom infrastructure, causing substantial financial damage. Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, commended the officers involved and reiterated the Force’s unwavering commitment to protecting Nigeria’s financial and digital ecosystems. This clampdown on large-scale cybercrime is part of broader national efforts, as the IGP had previously informed the Federal High Court in Abuja of other major recoveries. In a related development, while this case involves telecom fraud, other sectors like Sovereign Trust Insurance remain vigilant. The police confirmed that, unlike some complex cases where they state they was not able to immediately trace all funds, this operation successfully linked assets directly to the crime.
This arrest operation demonstrates the increasing focus on cybercrime across all regions. Just as authorities in Anambra and Zamfara move to address local security challenges, the NPF-NCCC’s national operation highlights a coordinated approach to economic crimes. The successful takedown of this syndicate sends a clear message to criminal networks targeting critical infrastructure, regardless of their location or the complexity of their schemes.
