Police Arrest Five Pakistani Nationals, Recover 35 Phones in Benue

By James Ike

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

The arrests followed credible intelligence on the activities and movements of the foreigners within the state, according to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Peter Aondongu.

Aondongu, in a statement, said three of the suspects were arrested on August 4, 2026, at Adoka Motor Park in Otukpo Local Government Area.

He identified them as Younas Mohammad, 36; Ahmad Nunil, 38; and Aslam Muhammad, 46, adding that they were intercepted while attempting to board a vehicle to Adoka village.

According to him, the suspects told the police during preliminary questioning that they had travelled to Otukpo to market cosmetics and mobile gadgets.

However, none of the claimed products was found in their possession, raising suspicion over their activities and movements in the area.

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

The PPRO said the 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.

He said further investigation and operational follow-up resulted in the recovery of 23 additional Tecno Camon 50 Pro phones and one Infinix Hot 60, bringing the total number of recovered devices to 35.

Aondongu said the five suspects had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Makurdi, where discreet and comprehensive investigations were ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding their presence, activities and movements in the state.

The Command said it suspected that the possession of the phones could be a “decoy for their clandestine activities in the rural areas of the state,” noting that the suspects had limited ability to speak or understand English.

The Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, commended the officers involved in the operations and 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, assuring that the Command would continue to work with relevant stakeholders to maintain peace and security across the state.