Police Arrest Five Pakistanis in Benue Over Suspicious Activities, Recover 35 Phones

The Benue State Police Command has arrested five Pakistani nationals over suspected secretive activities in different parts of the state.

The command’s spokesperson, Peter Aondongu, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.

He said officers recovered 35 mobile phones during separate operations that led to the arrests.

Three of the suspects, identified as Younas Mohammad, 36, Ahmad Nunil, 38, and Aslam Muhammad, 46, were arrested on August 4 at the Adoka motor park in Otukpo Local Government Area.

According to the police, the three men were stopped while preparing to board a vehicle travelling to Adoka village.

During questioning, they reportedly told investigators that they had gone to the community to sell cosmetics and mobile phone accessories.

However, police said they did not find any of the products the men claimed to be selling, raising concerns about their actual reason for visiting the area.

The following day, August 5, police arrested two more Pakistani nationals after receiving intelligence about their activities.

The suspects, identified as 30-year-old Juma Sharif and 25-year-old Muhammed Sharif, were picked up at a hotel in Ugbokolo, Okpokwu LGA.

The two men reportedly told the police that they were dealers in Android phones.

A search of their belongings led to the discovery of 11 Tecno Camon 50 Pro phones.

Police later recovered another 23 Tecno Camon 50 Pro devices and one Infinix Hot 60, bringing the total number of phones seized to 35.

The five suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Makurdi for further investigation.

Police said they are looking into the men’s movements, activities and reasons for being in Benue.

The command also noted that the suspects have limited understanding and speaking ability in English.

Police are now working to determine whether the mobile phones were connected to activities beyond the business purposes claimed by the suspects.

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