Police have arrested five Pakistani nationals and recovered 35 mobile phones in separate intelligence-led operations conducted in Otukpo and Ugbokolo areas of Benue State, North-Central Nigeria.
A statement by Police Public Relations Officer of Benue State Command, DSP Orchia Aondongu revealed that
on 4th August 2026, operatives of the Command, acting on credible intelligence, arrested three Pakistanis at Adoka Motor Park, in Otukpo Local Government Area.
He identified the suspects as Younas Mohammad, 36; Ahmad Nunil, 38; and Aslam Muhammad, 46, who were intercepted while attempting to board a vehicle to Adoka village.
Aoondongu said during preliminary questioning, the suspects stated that they were in Otukpo for the purpose of marketing cosmetics and mobile gadgets none of which were found in their possession.
This made their explanation, activities and movements within the area suspicious, requiring more clarification.
In a separate operation on 5th August 2026, two other Pakistanis, Juma Sharif, 30, and Muhammed Sharif, 25, were arrested at a local hotel in Ugbokolo following credible intelligence received by the Police.
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He said the two suspects claimed to be dealers in Android phones but a search of their belongings led to the recovery of 11 Tecno Camon 50 Pro mobile phones.
Further investigation and operational follow-up resulted in the recovery of an additional 23 Tecno Camon 50 Pro phones and one Infinix Hot 60 phone, bringing the total number of recovered mobile phones to 35.
The five suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Makurdi, where discreet and comprehensive investigations are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding their presence, activities and movements within the State.
The Command strongly suspected that the possession of those mobile phones is a decoy for their clandestine activities in the rural areas of the state insisting that this is even more probable as they hardly speak or understand english.
The Benue State Police Command reassured members of the public that the operations form part of its proactive, intelligence-led policing strategy aimed at identifying potential security threats, preventing criminal activities and safeguarding lives and property across the State.
The Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, CP Cletus Nwadiogbu Nwadiogbu, commends the officers involved in the operations and members of the public whose timely information contributed to the arrests.
He further urges residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons, movements or activities to the Police.
The Command said it will continue to work with relevant stakeholders and members of the public to maintain peace and security across Benue State.
“The public will be updated as the investigation progress,” the statement concluded
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(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
