By Ayodele Oni
Suspecting clandestine activities, the Benue State Police Command has detained five Pakistani nationals and recovered 35 mobile phones following their arrest during separate intelligence-led operations in Otukpo and Ugbokolo areas of the State.
The Command’s spokesperson, DSP Orchia Peter Aondongu, who disclosed this in a statement, revealed that police operatives, acting on credible intelligence, arrested three Pakistani nationals on August 4, 2026, at Adoka Motor Park in Otukpo Local Government Area.
The arrests, the Command said, are part of ongoing efforts to track down individuals suspected of involvement in activities that could undermine public safety and security across the state.
The Police further stated that two other Pakistani nationals were subsequently apprehended in a separate operation in the Ugbokolo area, where the operatives also recovered 35 mobile phones.
The suspects are currently in police custody and are assisting investigators with ongoing inquiries into their activities and the circumstances surrounding their presence in the State.
The suspects were identified as Younas Mohammad, 36; Ahmad Nunil, 38; and Aslam Muhammad, 46.
The Police said they were intercepted while attempting to board a vehicle to Adoka village.
“During preliminary questioning, the suspects stated that they were in Otukpo for the purpose of marketing cosmetics and mobile gadgets none of which were found in their possession,” the police said.
The Command noted that their explanation, activities and movements within the area were suspicious, “requiring more clarification.”
“In a separate operation on August 5, 2026, two other Pakistanis, Juma Sharif, 30, and Muhammed Sharif, 25, were arrested at a local hotel in Ugbokolo following credible intelligence.
“The two claimed to be dealers in Android phones and a search of their belongings led to the recovery of 11 Tecno Camon 50 Pro mobile phones.
“Further investigation and operational follow-up resulted in the recovery of an additional 23 Tecno Camon 50 Pro phones and one Infinix Hot 60 phone, bringing the total number of recovered mobile phones to 35.”
The Police said 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 those mobile phones is a decoy for their clandestine activities in the rural areas of the state, even more probable as they hardly speak or understand English.”
The Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, Cletus Nwadiogbu, commended the officers involved and members of the public whose information led to the arrests.
He appealed to residents to “remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons, movements or activities to the police.”
The Command further pointed out that the operations form part of its proactive, intelligence-led policing strategy aimed at identifying potential security threats and safeguarding lives and property across the state.
The Police added that it would continue to work with stakeholders and that the public would be updated as the investigation progresses.
Discover more from The Source
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
