The Borno State Police Command has arrested two residents for allegedly masterminding a ₦39.2 million cyber fraud involving the unauthorised withdrawal of funds from a customer’s bank account.
The suspects, identified as Ibrahim Gaji, 23, and Umar Mohammed, also known as Baba Alhaji, 39, were apprehended following an intelligence-led investigation by operatives of the Command’s Crack Squad, which also led to the recovery of ₦10.08 million believed to be part of the stolen funds.
According to the police, the case originated from a complaint lodged with the Command on April 17, 2026, after unknown persons allegedly gained unauthorised access to a customer’s bank account in the Bolori area of Maiduguri and fraudulently withdrew ₦39,208,000.
Following the report, operatives of the Police Command’s Voluntary Crime Response Unit (VCRU) Crack Squad launched a comprehensive investigation, combining intelligence-led policing with digital forensic techniques to trace the source of the fraudulent transactions and identify those behind the crime.
The investigation subsequently led to the arrest of the two suspects on June 27, 2026, while a total of ₦10,080,000 was recovered during the operation. Police believe the recovered amount forms part of the proceeds of the alleged fraud.
Speaking on the development on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Nahum Daso, said the investigation remains ongoing, adding that efforts have been intensified to recover the outstanding balance and track down other suspects believed to have participated in the cyber-enabled financial crime.
He said the suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigation.
Reacting to the breakthrough, the Commissioner of Police, Naziru Abdulmajid, reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to tackling cybercrime and other forms of financial fraud across the state.
He urged members of the public to safeguard their banking credentials, avoid sharing sensitive financial information with unauthorised persons, and promptly report suspicious financial transactions or cyber-related incidents to the nearest police station for immediate action.