Police Nab 5 Pakistanis, Recover 35 Phones in Benue

From Attah Ede, Makurdi

The Benue State Police Command has arrested five Pakistani nationals in separate intelligence-led operations in Otukpo and Okpokwu Local Government Areas of the state, recovering 35 mobile phones from the suspects.

The arrests, carried out on August 4 and 5, followed credible intelligence received by the Command, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Peter Aondongu, said yesterday.

Aondongu, in a statement issued on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, CP Cletus Nwadiogbu, identified three of the suspects arrested on August 4 at Adoka Motor Park, Otukpo, as Younas Mohammad, 36; Ahmad Nunil, 38; and Aslam Muhammad, 46.

The trio were reportedly intercepted while attempting to board a vehicle heading to Adoka village.

According to the police, the suspects told investigators during preliminary questioning that they were in Otukpo to market cosmetics and mobile gadgets.

However, the Command said no cosmetics or mobile gadgets were found in their possession, raising questions about their activities and movements in the area.

In a separate operation the following day, police operatives arrested two other Pakistani nationals, Juma Sharif, 30, and Muhammed Sharif, 25, at a hotel in Ugbokolo, Okpokwu Local Government Area.

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

A search of their belongings led to the recovery of 11 Tecno Camon 50 Pro phones, while further investigation and operational follow-up resulted in the recovery of an additional 23 Tecno Camon 50 Pro phones and one Infinix Hot 60.

The recoveries brought the total number of mobile phones seized to 35.

The five suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Makurdi, where detectives are investigating the circumstances surrounding their presence, activities and movements in the state.

The police said investigators are also examining how the suspects came into possession of the phones and other aspects of their activities.

The Command noted that the investigation was necessary, among other reasons, because of communication difficulties with some of the suspects, who reportedly have limited ability to speak or understand English.

The arrests, according to the police, form part of the Command’s proactive and intelligence-led policing strategy aimed at identifying potential security threats, preventing criminal activities and protecting lives and property across the state.

The Commissioner of Police commended the officers involved in the operations and members of the public whose timely information contributed to the arrests.

Nwadiogbu urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious persons, movements and activities to the police promptly.

He also assured residents that the Command would continue to collaborate with relevant stakeholders and members of the public to sustain peace and security across Benue State, adding that further updates would be provided as the investigation progresses.