Benue State Police Command don arrest five Pakistani nationals wey dem suspect say dey do clandestine activities for rural parts of two Local Government Areas for the state.
Police Public Relations Officer for the state, DSP Peter Aondongu, for statement wey im release on Saturday, say police also recover 35 mobile phones from the arrested foreigners for separate intelligence-led operations for Otukpo rural town for Otukpo LGA and Ugbokolo community for Okpokwu LGA.
Aondongu tok say dem arrest the suspects on August 4 and 5, 2026, following credible intelligence wey the command receive about their activities and movements for the areas.
Im explain say three of the suspects, wey dem identify as Younas Mohammad, 36; Ahmad Nunil, 38; and Aslam Muhammad, 46, dem arrest on August 4 for Adoka motor park for Otukpo LGA while dem dey attempt to board vehicle go Adoka village.
The police spokesperson talk say the suspects claim during preliminary questioning say dem dey Otukpo to market cosmetics and mobile gadgets, but none of the said items dem find for their possession, wey raise questions about their activities and movements for the area.
Im add say for separate operation the following day, two other Pakistani nationals, Juma Sharif, 30, and Muhammed Sharif, 25, dem arrest at a local hotel for Ugbokolo following intelligence wey police receive.
The two suspects, according to the PPRO, reportedly claim say dem be dealers for Android phones, wey make police search their belongings, during which dem recover 11 Tecno Camon 50 Pro mobile phones.
Aondongu say further investigation and operational follow-up lead to recovery of 23 additional Tecno Camon 50 Pro phones and one Infinix Hot 60, wey bring total number of mobile phones recover from the five suspects to 35.
Im state say dem don transfer the suspects to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for Makurdi, for further investigation into their presence, activities and movements for the state.
The police spokesman say the command dey investigate possibility say the possession of the phones fit be decoy for other activities for rural areas of the state, noting say the suspects get difficulty for speaking or understanding English.
Im note however say investigation dey ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding their presence and activities.
Meanwhile, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Cletus Nwadioogbu, don commend the officers wey involve for the operations as well as members of the public wey their information contribute to the arrests.
Im urge residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons, movements and activities to the police, adding say the command go continue to collaborate with relevant stakeholders and members of the public to identify potential security threats, prevent criminal activities and safeguard lives and property across the state.
