LIFESTYLE Culture

Benue Police Arrest Five Pakistanis, Recover 35 Mobile Phones

by admin on | 2026-08-08 16:37:43

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By Ahmad Sirajo Makama

The Benue State Police Command has arrested five Pakistani nationals in separate intelligence-led operations in Otukpo and Ugbokolo areas of the state, recovering 35 mobile phones in the process.

The arrests, according to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Orchia Peter Aondongu, were carried out on August 4 and 5, 2026, following credible intelligence received by the Command.

In the first operation on August 4, police operatives arrested three of the Pakistani nationals at Adoka Motor Park in Otukpo Local Government Area of the state.

The suspects were identified as Younas Mohammad, 36; Ahmad Nunil, 38; and Aslam Muhammad, 46.

They were reportedly intercepted while attempting to board a vehicle heading to Adoka village.

According to the Police, preliminary questioning revealed that the suspects claimed to be in Otukpo to market cosmetics and mobile gadgets.

However, none of the items they claimed to be marketing was found in their possession, raising questions about their stated purpose and movements in the area.

In a separate operation the following day, August 5, two other Pakistani nationals, identified as Juma Sharif, 30, and Muhammed Sharif, 25, were arrested at a local hotel in Ugbokolo following credible intelligence.

The two suspects reportedly told the police that they were dealers in Android mobile phones.

A search of their belongings led to the recovery of 11 Tecno Camon 50 Pro mobile phones.

Further investigation and operational follow-up by the police resulted in the recovery of an additional 23 Tecno Camon 50 Pro phones and one Infinix Hot 60 phone, bringing the total number of mobile phones recovered from the operations to 35.

The five suspects have since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Makurdi, for discreet and comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding their presence, activities and movements within the state.

The Command said it was particularly concerned that the suspects' explanations did not sufficiently account for their activities and that their possession of the mobile phones could potentially be a cover for other clandestine activities in rural areas of the state.

The Police further noted that the suspects reportedly had limited ability to speak or understand English, a factor the Command said would be taken into consideration as investigators seek to establish the full circumstances of their activities.

The Command, however, said the investigation was ongoing and that the public would be updated as more facts emerge.

The Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, CP Cletus C. N. Nwadiogbu, commended the officers involved in the operations as well as members of the public whose timely information contributed to the arrests.

He urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons, movements and activities to the police.

The Commissioner assured residents that the Command would continue to deploy proactive and intelligence-led policing strategies to identify potential security threats, prevent criminal activities and safeguard lives and property across the state.

The Command also pledged to continue working with relevant stakeholders and members of the public to maintain peace and security in Benue State.