Benue Police Arrest Five Pakistani Nationals, Recover 35 Mobile Phones
The Benue State Police Command has arrested five Pakistani nationals in separate intelligence-led operations in Otukpo and Ugbokolo, recovering 35 mobile phones from the suspects.
The arrests were disclosed in a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Orchia Peter Aondongu, who said the operations were conducted following credible intelligence received by the command.
According to the statement, police operatives first arrested three Pakistani nationals at Adoka Motor Park in Otukpo Local Government Area as they were allegedly attempting to board a vehicle to Adoka village.
During preliminary questioning, the suspects reportedly told investigators that they had travelled to Otukpo to market cosmetics and mobile gadgets. However, the police said none of the items was found in their possession.
In a separate operation, police arrested two other Pakistani nationals at a local hotel in Ugbokolo following another intelligence report.
The two suspects reportedly identified themselves as dealers in Android phones.
A search of their belongings led to the recovery of 11 Tecno Camon 50 Pro mobile phones, while further investigation and operational follow-up resulted in the recovery of an additional 23 Tecno Camon 50 Pro phones and one Infinix Hot 60.
The recoveries brought the total number of mobile phones seized from the five suspects to 35.
The police said the suspects, who reportedly have limited fluency in English, had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Makurdi for discreet and comprehensive investigation.
The investigation is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding their presence in the state and determine the purpose of the mobile phones recovered from them.
The command said there were suspicions that the possession of the phones could be a cover for other activities in rural areas of the state, but added that investigations were ongoing to establish the facts.
The Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, Cletus commended the officers involved in the operations and members of the public whose timely information contributed to the arrests.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and continue to provide security agencies with credible information that could assist in preventing crime and other security threats across the state.
By TimesNG