ABUJA — Police has arrested several suspects over a ₦7.7 billion telecom data fraud involving unauthorized access to a major telecommunications company’s billing system. The operation, which spanned Kano, Katsina and Zamfara States, also led to the recovery of ₦90 million, over 400 laptops, and 1,000 mobile phones.
The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre, NPF-NCCC, has dismantled a ₦7.7 billion fraud syndicate that targeted MTN Nigeria, arresting multiple suspects and recovering millions in cash and assets.
The NPF-NCCC said the scam involved threat actors working with insiders to compromise staff login credentials and unlawfully manipulate the company’s billing system.
According to a statement on Friday by DSP Unwana Imah, Police Public Liaison Officer, NPF-NCCC, the suspects generated fraudulent airtime between October 1 and November 28, 2024, and converted it into mobile data bundles. The data was then distributed and sold through a nationwide network of vendors to over 2,000 prepaid lines.
The Operation
Investigators found that the syndicate exploited unauthorized access to MTN’s billing infrastructure to divert airtime. The converted data bundles were sold across the country through a chain of vendors.
Financial Impact
The total estimated loss from the fraud was put at ₦7.7 billion. However, MTN Nigeria was able to recover and reverse 2,931.79 terabytes of the fraudulently obtained data, valued at approximately ₦3.8 billion.
Arrests and Recoveries
In the first phase of the operation, several suspects were arrested and police recovered over 400 laptops, 1,000 mobile phones, POS machines, cash exhibits and other materials.
A second wave of coordinated raids in May 2026 targeted Kano, Katsina, Zamfara and the FCT. Key suspects arrested include Musa Muhammed Kwandi, Nura Sadauki, Aminu Muhammed, IT specialist Musa Hassan Mohammed, Samson Alisigwe and Yusuf Shehu. Police said all are believed to have benefited from the proceeds.
Through financial investigation and asset tracing, operatives recovered nearly ₦90 million in cash. Other assets seized include two residential houses, a mini-plaza in Kano, and a Toyota RAV4.
The NPF-NCCC confirmed that both internal staff and external collaborators were involved in the scheme.
Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, said the Force remains committed to protecting the nation’s critical digital infrastructure.
“The investigation is ongoing to identify more accomplices, trace additional proceeds, and ensure all culpable persons are prosecuted,” the statement added.
Members of the public with information are urged to report via the NPF-NCCC e-reporting portal at nccc.npf.gov.ng or through the centre’s official social media channels.
Reports: NPF RIPPLESNiGERIA TECHPOINTAFRiCA
