Police bust cybercrime syndicate, arrest 13 suspects in Kebbi

Kebbi Police Dismantle Cybercrime Syndicate Targeting Politicians

The Kebbi State Police Command has dismantled a cybercrime syndicate allegedly involved in hacking the social media accounts of prominent politicians and senior government officials, arresting 13 suspects during coordinated operations in Argungu Local Government Area of the state. The Command's spokesman, SP Bashir Usman, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, saying the operation was carried out following credible intelligence. According to him, four of the suspects were identified as Ahmed Nasir, Rabiu Sani, Sadiq Umar and Umar Nasir, all males from Argungu Local Government Area.

Fake Nude Video Calls Used to Extort High-Profile Victims

Usman said preliminary investigations revealed that the syndicate specialised in hacking the accounts of high-profile politicians and top government officials before manipulating their victims through fake nude video calls involving a woman.

The syndicate specialised in hacking the accounts of high-profile politicians and top government officials before manipulating their victims through fake nude video calls involving a woman. The suspects allegedly threatened to expose the victims if they failed to pay stipulated sums of money.

— SP Bashir Usman, Police Public Relations Officer, Kebbi State Command

The police spokesman added that in a sustained crackdown on cybercrime, nine additional suspects were also arrested for allegedly extorting money from unsuspecting victims through various online fraudulent schemes. He disclosed that the suspects had successfully carried out some of their operations before their arrest, including allegedly obtaining ₦300,000 from one of their victims.

Police Clarify: Cybercrime Gang, Not a Terrorist Group

Usman also clarified reports linking the suspects to terrorism, stressing that the group was wrongly perceived as a new terrorist gang.

This group was misunderstood as a new terrorist gang. They are a cybercrime syndicate that does not carry arms but uses cyber means to threaten and extort their victims.

— SP Bashir Usman

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Umar Hadejia, urged members of the public to safeguard their personal information and social media accounts against cybercriminals. He reminded residents that cybercrime remains a serious offence punishable under Nigerian law and reaffirmed the command's commitment to combating all forms of criminality across the state. The police commissioner added that the suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.