6 Suspects Detained over ₦7.7b Telecom Data Fraud
At least six suspects might be on their way to prison for their alleged roles in the massive telecoms data fraud to the tune of Seven-Point-Seven Billion Naira.
They are MUSA MUHAMMED KWANDI, NURA SADAUKI, AMINU MUHAMMED, MUSA HASSAN MOHAMMED, SAMSON ALISIGWE and YUSUF SHEHU.
They were arrested in an operation led by the Nigeria Police Force’ National Cybercrime Centre, spanning Kano, Katsina and Zamfara states.
The NPF-NCCC described the development as a significant progress in the investigation of the case of Computer Related Fraud, Unauthorized Access to Computer Systems, and Theft of Telecom Services.
It said the investigation commenced following a complaint by a leading telecommunications service provider, alleging the compromise and unauthorized use of staff login credentials between October 1 and November 28, 2024.
The suspects are alleged to have unlawfully gained access to the company’s network billing infrastructure and fraudulently generated airtime, which was subsequently converted to data bundles, and thereafter distributed and sold through a network of vendors across the country.
NPF-NCCC’s Police Public Liaison Officer, DSP UNWANA IMAH, said 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.
DSP IMAH further disclosed in a statement that the telecommunications service provider was also able to reverse approximately 2,931.79 terabytes of the fraudulently obtained data, valued at about ₦3.8 billion.
He said further investigation established the involvement of both insiders and external collaborators, including those now in detention following the second wave of the operation, conducted in May 2026, acting on actionable intelligence.
The police spokesman said through sustained financial investigation and asset tracing, operatives recovered the total sum of almost ₦90,000,000 (Ninety Million Naira), as well as two residential houses in Kano State, a mini-plaza, and a Toyota RAV4 vehicle, considered to be part of the proceeds of the crime.