The Benue State Police Command has arrested five Pakistani nationals in separate operations conducted in Otukpo and Ugbokolo areas of the state, with a total of 35 mobile phones recovered during the operations.
The arrests were disclosed by the spokesperson of the command, DSP Orchia Peter Aondongu, in a statement issued following the operations.
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According to the police, three of the suspects identified as Younas Mohammad, Ahmad Nunil and Aslam Muhammad were arrested on August 4, 2026, at Adoka Motor Park in Otukpo Local Government Area while allegedly attempting to board a vehicle heading to Adoka village.
During preliminary questioning, the suspects reportedly told the police that they had travelled to Otukpo to market cosmetics and mobile gadgets.
However, police authorities said none of the products they claimed to be marketing was found in their possession, prompting further questions about their activities and movements within the area.
In a separate operation conducted on August 5, 2026, two other Pakistani nationals, identified as Juma Sharif and Muhammed Sharif, were arrested at a hotel in Ugbokolo following intelligence received by the police.
The two suspects reportedly told investigators that they were dealers in Android mobile phones.
The police said further investigation and operational follow-up resulted in the recovery of an additional 23 Tecno Camon 50 Pro phones and one Infinix Hot 60, bringing the total number of recovered devices to 35.
According to the police statement, It reads: “The Benue State Police Command has arrested five Pakistani nationals and recovered thirty-five (35) mobile phones in separate intelligence-led operations conducted in Otukpo and Ugbokolo areas,
“On 4th August 2026, operatives of the Command, acting on credible intelligence, arrested three Pakistanis at Adoka Motor Park, Otukpo Local Government Area. The suspects, identified as Younas Mohammad, 36; Ahmad Nunil, 38; and Aslam Muhammad, 46, were intercepted while attempting to board a vehicle to Adoka village.
“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.
“The two suspects claimed to be dealers in Android phones. A search of their belongings led to the recovery of eleven (11) Tecno Camon 50 Pro mobile phones.
“Further investigation and operational follow-up resulted in the recovery of an additional twenty-three (23) Tecno Camon 50 Pro phones and one (1) Infinix Hot 60 phone, bringing the total number of recovered mobile phones to thirty-five (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.
“It is strongly suspected that the possession of those mobile phones is a decoy for their clandestine activities in the rural areas of the state. This is even more probable as they hardly speak or understand english.
“The Benue State Police Command reassures 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 C. N. NWADIOGBU, psc(+), mnips, PhD, 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.