- The syndicate was responsible for the illegal diversion of airtime and data resources
- Findings revealed that internal staff login credentials had been compromised
- The suspects are said to have gained unauthorized access to the core systems of the telecom company
Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) have arrested six individuals allegedly involved in hacking a telecommunications company to divert airtime and mobile data valued at ₦7.7 billion.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the arrests were confirmed in a statement on Wednesday by the Force spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin.
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The suspects are said to have gained unauthorized access to the core systems of the telecom company.
Hundeyin identified the suspects as Ahmad Bala, Karibu Mohammed Shehu, Umar Habib, Obinna Ananaba, Ibrahim Shehu, and Masa’ud Sa’ad. Police recovered two mini plazas, retail outlets, over 400 laptops, 1,000 mobile phones, and a Toyota vehicle linked to the alleged fraud.
The statement added that a “substantial” amount of money traced from the scheme was found in the suspects’ bank accounts.
According to the NPF, the investigation began after the telecommunications company reported suspicious activities within its billing and payment systems.
Findings revealed that internal staff login credentials had been compromised, allowing the syndicate unlawful access to core operations.
The police said coordinated enforcement operations were conducted in October 2025 across Kano and Katsina States, with follow-up arrests in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
“The syndicate was responsible for the illegal diversion of airtime and data resources, resulting in losses estimated at over ₦7.7 billion,” the police statement read.
The suspects will face charges in court upon the conclusion of investigations. The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, commended officers involved for their professionalism in dismantling the cyber-enabled fraud network.
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