{
  "id": 333982,
  "title": "Police Arrest Five Pakistanis Over Alleged Suspicious Activities in Benue, Recover 35 Mobile Phones",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/police-arrest-five-pakistanis-over-alleged-suspicious-activities-in",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-09T01:27:12.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "This Day",
    "slug": "this-day",
    "url": "https://www.thisdaylive.com/2026/08/09/police-arrest-five-pakistanis-over-alleged-suspicious-activities-in-benue-recover-35-mobile-phones/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In Benue State, Nigeria, authorities have apprehended five Pakistani nationals suspected of engaging in clandestine activities in rural areas of two Local Government Areas (LGAs). The Benue State Police Command's Public Relations Officer, DSP Peter Aondongu, disclosed that the suspects were apprehended during intelligence-led operations on August 4 and 5, 2026, in Otukpo LGA and Okpokwu LGA. Recovered from the suspects were 35 mobile phones. The five were identified as Younas Mohammad, Ahmad Nunil, and Aslam Muhammad, all over 36 years old. On August 4, the trio was apprehended at Adoka motor park in Otukpo LGA attempting to board a vehicle to Adoka village. They claimed to be marketing cosmetics and mobile gadgets but were found to be lacking these items, prompting further investigation. The same day, two other Pakistani nationals, Juma Sharif and Muhammed Sharif, were arrested at a local hotel in Ugbokolo LGA. They were allegedly engaged in the trade of Android phones, leading to the recovery of 11 Tecno Camon 50 Pro mobile phones. Subsequent operations uncovered 23 more Tecno Camon 50 Pro phones and one Infinix Hot 60, raising questions about the suspects' true intentions. The suspects, who struggled with basic English, have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Makurdi for further probing. The police spokesperson hinted at the possibility that the phone recovery might be a decoy for other covert operations. CP Cletus Nwadioogbu, State Commissioner of Police, lauded the officers and the public for their contributions to the arrests. He urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities.",
  "summary": "George Okoh in Makurdi The Benue State Police Command has arrested five Pakistani nationals over suspected clandestine activities in rural parts of two Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state. The",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}