The Benue State Police Command has arrested five Pakistani nationals in separate intelligence-led operations in Otukpo and Ugbokolo, recovering 35 mobile phones.
Three suspects Younas Mohammad, 36; Ahmad Nunil, 38; and Aslam Muhammad, 46 were arrested on August 4 at Adoka Motor Park, Otukpo, while allegedly trying to board a vehicle to Adoka village. They told police they were in the area to market cosmetics and mobile gadgets, but none of the products was found on them, prompting questions about their activities and movements.
The following day, police arrested two other Pakistani nationals, Juma Sharif, 30, and Muhammed Sharif, 25, at a hotel in Ugbokolo. They reportedly said they were Android phone dealers.
Police recovered 11 Tecno Camon 50 Pro phones from their belongings. Further investigation led to the recovery of 23 more Tecno Camon 50 Pro phones and one Infinix Hot 60, bringing the total to 35 phones.
The five suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Makurdi, for discreet and comprehensive investigations into their presence, activities and movements in the state.
Police said it suspects the phones may have been a decoy for clandestine activities in rural areas, noting that the suspects reportedly hardly speak or understand English.
The Commissioner of Police, Cletus C. N. Nwadioogbu, commended the officers involved and members of the public whose information aided the arrests. He urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious persons, movements and activities to the police.
The command said the operation forms part of its proactive strategy to identify security threats, prevent crime and protect lives and property, adding that the public will be updated as the investigation progresses.
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