Daud Olatunji
The Benue State Police Command has arrested five Pakistani nationals in separate intelligence-led operations in Otukpo and Ugbokolo, recovering 35 mobile phones in the process.
The command said the arrests, carried out on August 4 and 5, 2026, followed intelligence reports concerning the activities and movements of the suspects in parts of the state.
Three of the suspects—Younas Mohammad, 36; Ahmad Nunil, 38; and Aslam Muhammad, 46—were arrested on August 4 at Adoka Motor Park in Otukpo Local Government Area while allegedly attempting to board a vehicle heading to Adoka village.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Orchia Peter Aondongu, disclosed this in a statement, saying the three men claimed during preliminary questioning that they were in Otukpo to market cosmetics and mobile gadgets.
However, police said no cosmetics or mobile gadgets were found in their possession at the time of their arrest, raising questions about their explanation and movements in the area.
Aondongu said the development prompted the command to subject their activities to further investigation.
In a separate operation the following day, police arrested two other Pakistani nationals, identified as Juma Sharif, 30, and Muhammed Sharif, 25, at a hotel in Ugbokolo.
The two suspects reportedly told investigators that they were dealers in Android phones.
A search of their belongings led to the recovery of 11 Tecno Camon 50 Pro mobile phones, according to the police.
The command said subsequent investigation and operational follow-up led to the recovery of another 23 Tecno Camon 50 Pro phones and one Infinix Hot 60, bringing the total number of recovered devices to 35.
The five suspects have since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Makurdi for discreet and comprehensive investigation.
Police said the investigation was aimed at establishing the circumstances surrounding the suspects’ presence in Benue, as well as their activities, contacts and movements within the state.
The command said investigators were particularly interested in determining whether the mobile phones were connected to activities beyond the suspects’ stated business interests.
According to Aondongu, the police suspect that the phones could have been used as a cover for other activities in rural parts of Benue.
He also noted that the suspects’ limited ability to speak or understand English had added to the concerns surrounding their activities.
The police, however, did not disclose any specific criminal offence for which the suspects had been charged, stressing that investigations were still ongoing.
The Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, Cletus Nwadiogbu, commended the officers involved in the operations and residents whose information contributed to the arrests.
Nwadiogbu urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons, movements and activities to the police.
He assured residents that the command would continue to deploy intelligence-led policing and collaborate with relevant stakeholders to prevent crime and protect lives and property across the state.
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