The Benue State Police Command has arrested five Pakistani nationals in separate intelligence-led operations in Otukpo and Ugbokolo, recovering 35 mobile phones.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Orchia Aondongu, the arrests were made on August 4 and 5, 2026, following credible intelligence received by the Command.
In the first operation on August 4, police arrested three Pakistani nationals at Adoka Motor Park in Otukpo Local Government Area. They were identified as Younas Mohammad, 36; Ahmad Nunil, 38; and Aslam Muhammad, 46.
Police said the suspects were intercepted while attempting to board a vehicle to Adoka village. During preliminary questioning, they reportedly said they were in Otukpo to market cosmetics and mobile gadgets.
However, the police said none of the items they claimed to be marketing was found in their possession.
More Arrests, Phones Recovered
On August 5, operatives arrested two other Pakistani nationals, Juma Sharif, 30, and Muhammed Sharif, 25, at a hotel in Ugbokolo following another intelligence report.
The two suspects reportedly told investigators they were dealers in Android mobile phones.
A search of their belongings led to the recovery of 11 Tecno Camon 50 Pro phones. Further police investigation resulted in the recovery of 23 additional Tecno Camon 50 Pro phones and one Infinix Hot 60, bringing the total number of recovered phones to 35.
The five suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Makurdi, for further investigation into their presence, activities and movements in the state.
The Command said the suspects’ explanations had not sufficiently accounted for their activities and that investigators were examining whether the phones could be connected to other activities.
Police also noted that the suspects reportedly had limited ability to speak or understand English, saying this would be taken into consideration during the investigation.
The Command said the investigation was ongoing and that the public would be updated as more facts emerge.
The Commissioner of Police (CP) Cletus Nwadiogbu commended the officers involved and residents whose information contributed to the arrests.
He urged members of the public 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 intelligence-led policing strategies to prevent crime, identify potential security threats and protect lives and property across Benue State.
