The Nigeria Police Force has arrested six suspects accused of hacking into a major telecommunications company’s core systems to divert airtime and mobile data worth N7.7 billion.
Force Public Relations Officer Benjamin Hundeyin disclosed the arrests in a statement issued on Wednesday, January 28, 2026.
According to the police, the suspects gained unauthorized access to the telecom operator’s internal networks, enabling them to manipulate and siphon large volumes of airtime credit and data bundles for illegal profit.
The specific telecom company involved was not named in the initial announcement. The operation is part of a broader pattern of cyber intrusions targeting Nigeria’s telecom infrastructure in recent years.
Hundeyin said investigations are continuing to determine the full extent of the breach, trace any laundered proceeds, and identify possible accomplices.
The suspects are expected to be charged under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act.
The arrests underscore rising cybersecurity risks in the sector, where attackers have previously exploited billing platforms, APIs, and subscriber management systems to carry out large-scale fraud.
The police urged telecom providers to strengthen system security through regular audits, multi-factor authentication, and proactive monitoring, while advising the public to remain vigilant against phishing and other social engineering tactics.
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