The police in Benue State have successfully arrested five men from Pakistan and seized 35 mobile phones during recent operations in the Otukpo and Ugbokolo areas.

The news was shared by the Commissioner of Police, CP Cletus Nwadiogbu, in a statement provided to reporters in Makurdi on Saturday.

He explained that on August 4, 2026, police officers received reliable tips that led them to detain three Pakistani men at the Adoka Motor Park in Otukpo. The men, named Younas Mohammad (36), Ahmad Nunil (38), and Aslam Muhammad (46), were trying to catch a vehicle to Adoka village when they were stopped.

Initially, the suspects claimed they were in Otukpo to sell cosmetics and mobile phones, but the police found no such items with them, which raised doubts about their story and prompted further investigation.

In a separate operation on August 5, 2026, the police arrested two more Pakistani men, Juma Sharif (30) and Muhammed Sharif (25), at a hotel in Ugbokolo after receiving more intelligence information.

Recently, two individuals were arrested for claiming to sell Android phones. When the police searched their things, they found 11 Tecno Camon 50 Pro mobile phones.

During the investigation, the police discovered 23 additional Tecno Camon 50 Pro phones and one Infinix Hot 60 phone, bringing the total number of recovered phones to 35.

The Police Commissioner mentioned that five suspects have been sent to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Makurdi for a detailed investigation. This investigation is meant to find out why they were in the area, what they were doing, and where they had been.

The police are very worried that the phones could be used for secret activities in rural areas of the state, especially since the suspects have trouble speaking English.

In light of these events, the Benue State Police Command assured the public that these actions are part of a proactive plan to spot and prevent possible threats, ensuring everyone’s safety in the state. The Police Commissioner praised the officers involved and thanked community members for their quick information that led to the arrests.

He encouraged residents to stay alert and report any suspicious activities or individuals to the police. The Command is dedicated to working closely with the community and other partners to keep peace and security in Benue State.