Police bust telecom fraud syndicate, arrest suspects over ₦7.7bn data scam

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By Kingsley Omonobi

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The Nigeria Police Force, through the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC), has made significant breakthroughs in the investigation of a major cybercrime case involving computer-related fraud, unauthorised access to computer systems and theft of telecommunications services.

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The Police Public Relations Officer of the NPF-NCCC, DSP Unwana Imah, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, noting that investigations revealed the involvement of both internal and external collaborators in the fraud.

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According to Imah, the investigation began following a complaint by a leading telecommunications company over the compromise and unauthorised use of staff login credentials.

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Preliminary findings showed that between October 1 and November 28, 2024, the suspects illegally gained access to the company’s network billing infrastructure and fraudulently generated airtime, which was subsequently converted into data bundles.

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The data bundles were then distributed and sold through a network of vendors across the country.

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“In the course of the investigation, several suspects were arrested and over 400 laptops, 1,000 mobile phones, POS machines, cash exhibits and other evidential materials were recovered,” Imah said.

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He added that the telecommunications provider was able to reverse approximately 2,931.79 terabytes of fraudulently obtained data valued at about ₦3.8 billion.

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Further investigations uncovered the involvement of insiders and external collaborators.

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As part of a second phase of operations conducted in May 2026, operatives of the NPF-NCCC, acting on actionable intelligence, carried out coordinated raids in Kano, Katsina and Zamfara states, leading to the arrest of key suspects, including Musa Muhammed Kwandi, Nura Sadauki and Aminu Muhammed.

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Other suspects arrested in connection with the case include Musa Hassan Mohammed, an IT specialist, Samson Alisigwe and Yusuf Shehu, all of whom are believed to have benefited from the proceeds of the fraudulent activities.

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Through financial investigations and asset tracing, police operatives recovered nearly ₦90 million, alongside two residential houses in Kano State, a mini-plaza and a Toyota RAV4 vehicle, all identified as proceeds of the crime.

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The police said investigations were ongoing to identify additional accomplices, trace further proceeds and ensure the prosecution of all those involved.

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The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to protecting the country’s critical digital infrastructure and combating cybercrime.

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He also urged members of the public with relevant information to assist ongoing investigations through the NPF-NCCC’s reporting channels.

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