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The Nigeria Police Force, through the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC), has made significant breakthroughs in the investigation of a major cybercrime case involving computer-related fraud, unauthorised access to computer systems and theft of telecommunications services.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the NPF-NCCC, DSP Unwana Imah, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, noting that investigations revealed the involvement of both internal and external collaborators in the fraud.

According to Imah, the investigation began following a complaint by a leading telecommunications company over the compromise and unauthorised use of staff login credentials.

Preliminary findings showed that between October 1 and November 28, 2024, the suspects illegally gained access to the company’s network billing infrastructure and fraudulently generated airtime, which was subsequently converted into data bundles.

The data bundles were then distributed and sold through a network of vendors across the country.

“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,” Imah said.

He added that the telecommunications provider was able to reverse approximately 2,931.79 terabytes of fraudulently obtained data valued at about ₦3.8 billion.

Further investigations uncovered the involvement of insiders and external collaborators.

As part of a second phase of operations conducted in May 2026, operatives of the NPF-NCCC, acting on actionable intelligence, carried out coordinated raids in Kano, Katsina and Zamfara states, leading to the arrest of key suspects, including Musa Muhammed Kwandi, Nura Sadauki and Aminu Muhammed.

Other suspects arrested in connection with the case include Musa Hassan Mohammed, an IT specialist, Samson Alisigwe and Yusuf Shehu, all of whom are believed to have benefited from the proceeds of the fraudulent activities.

Through financial investigations and asset tracing, police operatives recovered nearly ₦90 million, alongside two residential houses in Kano State, a mini-plaza and a Toyota RAV4 vehicle, all identified as proceeds of the crime.

The police said investigations were ongoing to identify additional accomplices, trace further proceeds and ensure the prosecution of all those involved.

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to protecting the country’s critical digital infrastructure and combating cybercrime.

He also urged members of the public with relevant information to assist ongoing investigations through the NPF-NCCC’s reporting channels.

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The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has airlifted sensitive electoral materials for the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election and a series of senatorial and federal constituency by-elections scheduled for Saturday, June 20, 2026, in line with its commitment to supporting democratic governance through Aid to Civil Authority operations.

The airlift operation, conducted between June 15 and 16, 2026, was undertaken at the request of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to facilitate the security and timely movement of sensitive electoral materials from Abuja to designated locations across the country.

In a statement yesterday, NAF’s Spokesman, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the Service leveraged its strategic airlift capabilities to transport the sensitive electoral materials from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, to designated airports in Enugu, Rivers and Kano states, ensuring that INEC receives the materials within the stipulated timeline ahead of the elections.

Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, commended the professionalism and dedication of NAF personnel involved in the operation, noting that the successful airlift underscores the Service’s unwavering commitment to supporting democratic institutions and national development.

Aneke reaffirmed the NAF’s readiness to continue to provide timely and effective support to civil authorities in the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities.

Relatedly, INEC has commenced the distribution of sensitive election materials for the Ondo South Senatorial District by-election ahead of the Saturday polls.

The exercise was conducted under the supervision of electoral officials, security agencies, and representatives of participating political parties as ballot papers, result sheets, and other sensitive materials were deployed to designated locations across the senatorial district.

The by-election became imperative following the appointment of Senator Jimoh Ibrahim as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Ondo State, Mutiu Agboke, while speaking at the distribution exercise held within the premises of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in Akure, yesterday, confirmed that all logistics arrangements for the smooth conduct of the exercise had been finalised.

Meanwhile, stakeholders of Nigeria’s electoral process have urged INEC to ensure strict compliance with the electronic transmission of election results as a critical test of the reforms introduced under the new Electoral Act.

The call was made, yesterday, during a multi-stakeholder roundtable on legal compliance and electoral integrity organised by the Youth Electoral Reform Project (YERP-Naija) and The New Generation Girls and Women Development Initiative (NIGAWD) held in Ado-Ekiti.

Participants at the forum stressed that the Ekiti governorship election, the first major polls to be conducted under the provisions of the 2026 Electoral Act, presents an opportunity for INEC to demonstrate its commitment to transparency and accountability through the seamless electronic transmission of polling unit results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV).

Executive Director of NIGAWD and South-West Coordinator of YERP-Naija, Abimbola Aladejare-Salako, said the election would serve as a litmus test for the implementation of electoral reforms championed by youth groups and civil society organisations following concerns raised over the conduct of the 2023 general elections.

In a goodwill message, Programme Director of the National Democratic Institute (NDI), Bem Aga, commended YERP-Naija and its civil society partners for their sustained advocacy that culminated in the passage of the 2026 Electoral Act.

Aga said NDI was proud to support the Youth Electoral Reform Project, noting that NIGAWD serves as the South-West secretariat of the initiative.

He described citizen participation and credible elections as two fundamental pillars of democracy and expressed satisfaction that youth-focused organisations had moved beyond advocacy to monitoring the implementation of the reforms they championed.

However, stakeholders at the roundtable specifically called on INEC to provide clear guidelines on the implementation of Section 60 (3) of the Electoral Act, which makes electronic transmission mandatory while also providing alternative procedures where communication networks fail.

They expressed concerns that the exception clause could be abused if adequate safeguards are not established and demanded assurances that any alternative process would be transparent, verifiable and subject to public scrutiny.

The forum also urged INEC to clarify the implementation of Section 18 (1) of the Electoral Act, which provides for downloadable Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) for voters whose cards have been lost or damaged ahead of the election.

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Suspected cultists have allegedly killed a middle-aged man identified simply as Yemi in Iyara community, Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State.

The suspect was machete to death following a suspected cult clash in the area.

“It is believed that the assailants were members of a rival cult group”, one source said.

According to residents, the attackers reportedly trailed the victim to his residence where they reportedly killed him and fled the scene.

Some residents who mourning the deceased and seen discussing the incident in a hush tones when newsmen arrived the scene on Wednesday, described the deceased as a lively and friendly young man who was known for his singing talent and cheerful disposition.

“Yemi was a good singer, full of life and always making people laugh. He related well with everyone and was very friendly,” a resident said.

Other community sources, who spoke on condition of anouymity, alleged that the deceased had previously been linked to the killing of another youth in the area.

The source claimed that the deceased was captured in a video allegedly circulated after an incident sometime ago, leading to his arrest by security operatives.

“He was taken to Zone 5 Police Headquarters for investigation and was recently released on bail after spending some time at the Okere Correctional Centre”. They further alleged that he had only recently recovered from a gunshot wound to his leg before his death.

It was not clear whether cult group attacked him this time around but some residents expressed concern over the rising wave of cult-related violence in Warri and called on security agencies to intensify efforts to curb the menace.

They lamented that many young people were losing their lives to cult clashes at a time when the country was already battling insecurity, including kidnapping, banditry and terrorism.

“Something urgent must be done to stop these killings before our youths wipe themselves out. Rather than killing one another, young people should unite against the security challenges facing our communities,” a resident said.

When contacted, Delta State Police Public Relations Officer SP Bright Edafe, confirmed the incident but didn’t give details.