Benue State Police Command has arrested five Pakistani nationals in separate operations and recovered 35 mobile phones as investigators probe their activities across the state.
Police said the arrests followed intelligence gathered on the movements and activities of the suspects in Otukpo and Ugbokolo.
Three of the men were arrested on August 4 at Adoka Motor Park in Otukpo Local Government Area.
They were identified as Younas Mohammad, 36; Ahmad Nunil, 38; and Aslam Muhammad, 46.
According to the police, operatives intercepted the three men while they were preparing to board a vehicle heading towards Adoka village.
During preliminary questioning, the suspects reportedly told investigators that they had travelled to Otukpo to sell cosmetics and mobile devices.
However, police said officers did not find the cosmetics or mobile gadgets the men claimed to be marketing in their possession.
That discrepancy prompted investigators to seek further clarification about their reasons for being in the area and their movements within Otukpo.
Police spokesperson, DSP Orchia Peter Aondongu, said the circumstances surrounding the men’s activities had raised questions requiring further investigation.
Aondongu said the command was particularly interested in establishing the purpose of their presence in Benue and determining whether their activities extended beyond the explanation initially provided.
Meanwhile, a separate intelligence-led operation on August 5 resulted in the arrest of two additional Pakistani nationals at a hotel in Ugbokolo.
The suspects were identified as Juma Sharif, 30, and Muhammed Sharif, 25.
Police said the two men told investigators that they were engaged in the sale of Android phones.
A search of their belongings led to the recovery of 11 Tecno Camon 50 Pro smartphones.
Further investigative work later uncovered 24 additional phones, consisting of 23 Tecno Camon 50 Pro devices and one Infinix Hot 60.
The discoveries brought the total number of mobile phones recovered from the five suspects to 35.
Police have transferred all five suspects to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Makurdi, where detailed investigations are ongoing.
Investigators are expected to establish how the suspects entered Benue, the nature of their business activities and the circumstances surrounding the phones recovered during the operations.
The command is also examining whether the mobile phone business was being used to conceal other activities in rural communities.
Benue State Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, commended the officers involved in the operations and acknowledged residents whose information helped security personnel identify and arrest the suspects.
Nwadiogbu urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report unusual movements, suspicious persons and activities to security agencies.
The police commissioner also assured residents that the command would continue working with communities and other stakeholders to strengthen security across Benue.
Police said further updates would be provided as the investigation progresses.