Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) have arrested six suspects over the alleged hacking of a telecommunications company’s system and the diversion of airtime and mobile data valued at about N7.7 billion.
The arrests were announced in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, who said the suspects unlawfully gained access to the company’s core operational systems.
Hundeyin identified the suspects as Ahmad Bala, Karibu Mohammed Shehu, Umar Habib, Obinna Ananaba, Ibrahim Shehu, and Masa’ud Sa’ad. He disclosed that police operatives recovered two mini plazas used as retail outlets, over 400 laptops, about 1,000 mobile phones, and a Toyota vehicle during the operation. A substantial amount of money was also traced to the suspects’ bank accounts.
According to the statement, the operation was carried out by the Nigeria Police Force–National Cybercrime Centre (NPF–NCCC) following a petition from a Nigerian telecommunications company, which reported suspicious and unauthorized activities within its billing and payment infrastructure.
Investigations revealed that internal staff login credentials had been compromised, allowing the suspects to gain unlawful access to the company’s systems and divert airtime and data resources, resulting in an estimated financial loss of over N7.7 billion.
Hundeyin said coordinated enforcement operations were conducted in October 2025 across Kano and Katsina states, with a follow-up arrest later made in the Federal Capital Territory.
He added that the suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, commended the officers involved in the investigation for what he described as their professionalism and dedication.
