The Benue State Police Command has arrested five Pakistani nationals in separate intelligence-led operations in Otukpo and Ugbokolo, recovering 35 mobile phones in what the police described as a suspicious movement of foreign nationals in the state.
The arrests were disclosed by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Orchia Peter Aondongu, in a statement issued on Friday, August 7, 2026.
Three of the suspects — Younas Mohammad, Ahmad Nunil and Aslam Muhammad — were arrested on August 4 at Adoka Motor Park in Otukpo Local Government Area while allegedly attempting to board a vehicle heading to Adoka village.
According to the police, the suspects claimed they had travelled to Otukpo to market cosmetics and mobile gadgets. However, officers found none of the alleged products in their possession, prompting further scrutiny of their activities and movements.
In a separate intelligence-led operation conducted on August 5, operatives arrested two other Pakistani nationals, Juma Sharif and Muhammed Sharif, at a hotel in Ugbokolo.
The two suspects reportedly told investigators that they were dealers in Android phones.
A search of their belongings led to the recovery of 11 Tecno Camon 50 Pro smartphones. Further investigation subsequently led police to recover 23 additional Tecno Camon 50 Pro phones and one Infinix Hot 60, bringing the total number of recovered devices to 35.
The Benue Police Command said investigations into the circumstances surrounding the suspects’ activities and the recovered phones are ongoing.
