The Benue State Police Command has arrested five Pakistani nationals regarded as ‘suspicious’ during separate operations in Otukpo and Ugbokolo areas of the state.
Thirty-five 35 mobile phones were also recovered from them, in arrests the command said were made following credible intelligence on the activities and movements of the suspects in the areas.
In a statement issued late Friday by the Police Public Relations Officer, Peter Aondongu, the command said three of the suspects were arrested on August 4 at Adoka Motor Park, Otukpo Local Government Area.
The suspects were identified as Younas Mohammad, 36; Ahmad Nunil, 38; and Aslam Muhammad, 46.
According to the statement, the suspects were intercepted while attempting to board a vehicle to Adoka village.
“During preliminary questioning, the suspects stated that they were in Otukpo for the purpose of marketing cosmetics and mobile gadgets, none of which were found in their possession. This made their explanation, activities and movements within the area suspicious, requiring more clarification,” the statement read.
He added that two other suspects, Juma Sharif, 30, and Muhammed Sharif, 25, were arrested in a separate operation the following day, August 5, at a local hotel in Ugbokolo.
Aondongu said the suspects told the police that they were dealers in Android phones.
“Further investigation and operational follow-up resulted in the recovery of an additional 23 Tecno Camon 50 Pro phones and one Infinix Hot 60 phone, bringing the total number of recovered mobile phones to 35,” the PPRO said.
According to him, the suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Makurdi for discreet investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding their presence, activities and movements in the state.
The command said it suspected that the possession of the mobile phones could be a cover for clandestine activities in rural areas of the state, adding that the suspects had limited ability to speak or understand English.
Meanwhile, the State Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadioogbu, commended the officers involved in the operations as well as members of the public whose information contributed to the arrests.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons, movements and activities to the police, adding that the command would 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.
(Ripples)