Benue State Police Command has announced the arrest of five Pakistani nationals and the recovery of 35 mobile phones during separate intelligence-driven operations in Otukpo and Ugbokolo.

The command said three of the suspects were apprehended on August 4, 2026, at Adoka Motor Park in Otukpo Local Government Area after operatives acted on information received from credible sources. 

The suspects, identified as Younas Mohammad, 36; Ahmad Nunil, 38; and Aslam Muhammad, 46, were intercepted while attempting to board a vehicle to Adoka village.

According to the police spokesperson, DSP Orchia Peter Aondongu, the suspects were questioned following their arrest and claimed they had travelled to Otukpo to market cosmetics and mobile devices. 

However, the items they mentioned were reportedly not found in their possession.

Aondongu said their explanation raised further concerns about their activities and movements within the area, noting that the suspects stated 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 police said another operation carried out on August 5 led to the arrest of two more Pakistani nationals at a hotel in Ugbokolo. 

The suspects were identified as Juma Sharif, 30, and Muhammed Sharif, 25.

The two men reportedly told investigators they were involved in the sale of Android phones. 

A search of their belongings, however, resulted in the discovery of eleven Tecno Camon 50 Pro phones.

The two suspects claimed to be dealers in Android phones. 

A search of their belongings led to the recovery of eleven (11) Tecno Camon 50 Pro mobile phones.

The command said subsequent investigations and operational follow-up led to the discovery of another 24 mobile phones, comprising 23 Tecno Camon 50 Pro devices and one Infinix Hot 60.

“Further investigation and operational follow-up resulted in the recovery of an additional twenty-three (23) Tecno Camon 50 Pro phones and one (1) Infinix Hot 60 phone, bringing the total number of recovered mobile phones to thirty-five (35),” he added.

The five suspects have since been moved to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Makurdi for further questioning and detailed investigation.

Police said investigators were working to determine the circumstances surrounding the suspects’ presence in Benue, as well as their activities and movements across the state.

The command added that it was investigating the possibility that the phones were being used as a cover for other activities in rural communities.

Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, Cletus Nwadiogbu, praised the officers who participated in the operations and thanked members of the public whose information assisted the Police in making the arrests.

Nwadiogbu also called on residents to stay alert and provide security agencies with timely information about suspicious individuals, movements and activities.

“The Command will continue to work with relevant stakeholders and members of the public to maintain peace and security across Benue State. 

The public will be updated as the investigation progress,” the statement added.

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The Jigawa State Police Command says it has arrested several suspects in connection with theft, shopbreaking and possession of suspected stolen property across the state.

The command said the arrests were made during a series of intelligence-led operations carried out by its operatives in different parts of the state, leading to the recovery of a tricycle, two motorcycles and 11 Android mobile phones.

According to a statement issued by the Jigawa State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Lawal Shi’isu, on Friday, operatives attached to the Maigatari and Malam Madori Divisions arrested three suspects allegedly found in possession of stolen Royal and Boxer motorcycles.

The suspects were identified as 30-year-old Abubakar Ya’u and 28-year-old Aminu Ya’u, both from Dantanoma Quarters in Gumel Local Government Area, and 25-year-old Abdullahi Bala from Garbagar Village in Guri LGA.

The police also reported the arrest of 31-year-old Anas Nuhu from Jobe Village, Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area of Kano State. He was allegedly found in possession of a tricycle with registration number MDB 478 QE and Union number GWL 1842, suspected to have been stolen from a park in Tofa LGA.

The command said Nuhu confessed during interrogation to stealing the tricycle.

“The case has been charged to court,” the police said, adding that investigations into the other cases had also been completed and the suspects arraigned for prosecution.

In another operation, the police arrested 18-year-old Mamman Adamu of Tutiyari Village, Kirikasamma LGA, following a report of a shop burglary in Birniwa.

The suspect was allegedly linked to the theft of 11 Android phones, all of which were recovered by the police.

According to the command, the suspect also confessed to the crime and is expected to be charged to court after the completion of investigations.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Tijjani Murtala, commended the officers involved for what he described as their “professionalism, vigilance and dedication.”

He reiterated the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property and urged residents to continue providing the police with “timely and credible information” to help prevent and combat crime across the state.

The Niger State Police Command has arrested a 20-year-old man, Tukur Bello, over an alleged midnight invasion of a residence in Takuma Fulani Camp in Mokwa Local Government Area, where he reportedly attempted to kidnap two women.

The suspect, according to the police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, allegedly invaded the residence at about midnight on July 25, 2026, armed with a sharp cutlass, while the two women were asleep.

Abiodun said the suspect threatened to kidnap both women, but they raised an alarm, prompting him to allegedly attack one of them in an attempt to silence her.

According to the command, the victim sustained deep cuts on her hands during the attack.

The alarm attracted members of the community and local vigilantes, who reportedly intervened and apprehended the suspect.

The police said Bello, of Takuma Fulani Camp, was arrested with the cutlass allegedly used during the incident.

The case was initially reported at the Mokwa Divisional Police Headquarters before being transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Minna, on July 30 for discreet investigation.

The suspect remains in police custody and is undergoing further interrogation, after which he is expected to be charged to court, the command said.

The police spokesman urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements or threats to security agencies.