The Benue State Police Command has arrested five Pakistani nationals during separate intelligence-led operations in Otukpo and Ugbokolo, recovering 35 mobile phones in the process.
The command said the arrests followed intelligence reports concerning the activities and movements of the foreign nationals within the state. The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Peter Aondongu, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.
According to Aondongu, three of the suspects were arrested on August 4 at Adoka Motor Park in Otukpo Local Government Area. They were identified as Younas Mohammad, 36; Ahmad Nunil, 38; and Aslam Muhammad, 46.
The police spokesman said the suspects were intercepted while attempting to board a vehicle heading to Adoka village. During preliminary questioning, the suspects reportedly told investigators that they were in Otukpo to market cosmetics and mobile gadgets.
However, Aondongu said none of the products they claimed to be marketing was found in their possession. He added that the discrepancy had raised concerns about their activities and movements in the area, prompting further investigation.
In a separate operation conducted on August 5, police arrested two additional Pakistani nationals at a hotel in Ugbokolo. The suspects were identified as Juma Sharif, 30, and Muhammed Sharif, 25. Aondongu said the two men claimed to be dealers in Android phones. A search of their belongings, however, reportedly resulted in the recovery of 11 Tecno Camon 50 Pro phones.
Further operational follow-up by investigators led to the recovery of another 23 Tecno Camon 50 Pro devices and one Infinix Hot 60 phone. The recoveries brought the total number of mobile phones seized from the five suspects to 35.
The five suspects have since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Makurdi for further investigation. The command said investigators were conducting discreet and comprehensive inquiries to determine the circumstances surrounding the suspects’ presence, activities and movements within Benue.
Police also expressed concern that the mobile phones could have been used as a cover for other activities in rural communities. The command noted that the suspects had limited ability to speak or understand English, adding that their explanations would be subjected to further verification.
The Benue Police Command said the operations formed part of its intelligence-led strategy to identify potential security threats and prevent criminal activities across the state. Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, commended the officers involved in the operations and residents whose information assisted the police in making the arrests.
Nwadiogbu urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious individuals, movements or activities to security agencies. He assured residents that the command would continue working with relevant stakeholders and communities to maintain peace and protect lives and property across Benue State.
