The Benue State Police Command has arrested five Pakistani nationals and recovered thirty-five mobile phones in separate intelligence-led operations conducted in the Otukpo and Ugbokolo areas of the state. The arrests form part of the Command’s proactive strategy aimed at identifying potential security threats and preventing criminal activities.
On 4 August 2026, operatives of the Command, acting on credible intelligence, arrested three Pakistanis at Adoka Motor Park in Otukpo Local Government Area. The suspects, identified as Younas Mohammad, 36; Ahmad Nunil, 38; and Aslam Muhammad, 46, were intercepted while attempting to board a vehicle to Adoka village. During preliminary questioning, they stated that they were in Otukpo for the purpose of marketing cosmetics and mobile gadgets, none of which were found in their possession. This made their explanation, activities and movements within the area suspicious and requiring further clarification.
In a separate operation on 5 August 2026, two other Pakistanis, Juma Sharif, 30, and Muhammed Sharif, 25, were arrested at a local hotel in Ugbokolo following credible intelligence received by the Police. The two suspects claimed to be dealers in Android phones. A search of their belongings led to the recovery of eleven Tecno Camon 50 Pro mobile phones. Further investigation and operational follow-up resulted in the recovery of an additional twenty-three Tecno Camon 50 Pro phones and one Infinix Hot 60 phone, bringing the total number of recovered mobile phones to thirty-five.
The five suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Makurdi, where discreet and comprehensive investigations are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding their presence, activities and movements within the State. It is strongly suspected that the possession of the mobile phones is a decoy for their clandestine activities in the rural areas of the state, a suspicion reinforced by the fact that they hardly speak or understand English.
The Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, CP Cletus C. N. Nwadiogbu, psc(+), mnips, PhD, has commended the officers involved in the operations and members of the public whose timely information contributed to the arrests. He further urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons, movements or activities to the Police. The Command will continue to work with relevant stakeholders and members of the public to maintain peace and security across Benue State, and the public will be updated as the investigation progresses.
