JUST IN: Police arrest six for hacking telecom firm to divert ₦7.7bn airtime, recover hundreds of laptops

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) have arrested six suspects over the alleged hacking of a telecommunications company, leading to the diversion of airtime and mobile data valued at ₦7.7 billion.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the force spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, said the suspects unlawfully accessed the core systems of the telecom firm by compromising internal staff login credentials.

Those arrested are Ahmad Bala, Karibu Mohammed Shehu, Umar Habib, Obinna Ananaba, Ibrahim Shehu, and Masa’ud Sa’ad.

According to the police, two mini plazas used as retail outlets were recovered during the operation. Items found at the locations include more than 400 laptops, about 1,000 mobile phones, and a Toyota vehicle. Investigators also traced a substantial amount of money linked to the alleged fraud to the suspects’ bank accounts.

Hundeyin said the arrests followed a petition submitted by the affected telecommunications company, which reported unauthorised activities within its billing and payment systems.

Investigations showed that the breach allowed the suspects to divert airtime and data resources, causing an estimated financial loss of over ₦7.7 billion.

The police said coordinated operations were carried out in October 2025 across Kano and Katsina states, with a follow-up arrest later made in the Federal Capital Territory.

The suspects are expected to be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, commended the officers involved for their conduct during the investigation.