The Benue State Police Command has arrested five Pakistani nationals in separate intelligence led operations across Otukpo and Ugbokolo, with a total of 35 mobile phones recovered from the suspects.
The arrests, according to the police, followed credible intelligence concerning the activities and movements of the foreign nationals in different communities within the state. The development has raised questions about the purpose of their presence in some rural areas, although authorities have stressed that investigations are still ongoing and no criminal offence has been conclusively established against the suspects.
Three of the suspects 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...READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
Police said the three men were intercepted while attempting to board a vehicle heading towards Adoka village. During preliminary questioning, the suspects reportedly told investigators that they were in Otukpo to market cosmetics and mobile gadgets.
However, according to the police, none of the cosmetics or mobile devices they claimed to be marketing was found in their possession at the time of their arrest. The discrepancy reportedly prompted investigators to seek further clarification about their activities, movements and reason for travelling to the area.
In a separate operation conducted on August 5, police arrested two additional Pakistani nationals at a hotel in Ugbokolo following another intelligence report. The suspects were identified as Juma Sharif, 30, and Muhammed Sharif, 25.
The two men reportedly told the police that they were dealers in Android phones. A search of their belongings resulted in the recovery of 11 Tecno Camon 50 Pro mobile phones.
Police subsequently carried out further investigations and operational follow up, leading to the recovery of another 23 Tecno Camon 50 Pro phones and one Infinix Hot 60. This brought the total number of mobile phones recovered from the five suspects to 35.
The Benue State Police Command said the suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Makurdi, where discreet and comprehensive investigations are being conducted to establish the circumstances surrounding their presence, activities and movements within the state. (Linda Ikeji’s Blog)
The police said they suspect that possession of the phones could potentially be a decoy for other activities in rural parts of the state. However, this remains an allegation under investigation, and the authorities have not publicly established that the suspects were involved in any criminal or clandestine operation.
The police also noted that the suspects reportedly have limited ability to speak or understand English, a factor investigators said would be considered as they work to establish the full circumstances of the case.
The arrests come at a time when security agencies in Benue are intensifying intelligence gathering and surveillance in response to security concerns across the state. Authorities have increasingly relied on information from residents to identify suspicious movements and prevent potential threats before they develop into criminal activities.
Commissioner of Police in Benue State, CP Cletus C. N. Nwadiogbu, commended the officers involved in the operations as well as members of the public whose information reportedly contributed to the arrests.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons, movements or activities to the police. The command also assured residents that it would continue working with relevant stakeholders to maintain peace and protect lives and property across the state. (Voice of Nigeria)
The case has attracted attention because of the number of mobile phones recovered and the conflicting explanations reportedly given by some of the suspects about their activities. Nevertheless, the ongoing investigation will be crucial in determining whether the phones were legitimately acquired for commercial purposes or whether they are connected to any unlawful activity.
For now, the five Pakistani nationals remain under investigation, while the police continue to examine their movements, activities and possessions. Authorities have also indicated that the public will be updated as the investigation progresses.
The development highlights the importance of intelligence led policing and community cooperation in identifying potential security threats. It also underscores the need for authorities to conduct thorough investigations before drawing conclusions about the activities of individuals who have been arrested.
As investigators continue their work, Nigerians will be watching for further clarification on why the five foreign nationals were in the affected communities, the source and intended destination of the 35 mobile phones and whether any criminal activity is ultimately established.
