Police Arrest 34 Cameroonians, Nigeriens Over Suspected Illegal Activities

The Benue State Police Command has arrested 34 foreign nationals, comprising 16 Cameroonians and 18 Nigeriens, over concerns about their immigration status, travel documents and movements within the state.

The Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, disclosed the arrests on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, while briefing journalists on the command’s security operations and achievements during the month.

According to the police chief, the 34 foreign nationals were arrested in two separate operations in Otukpo Local Government Area and Orokam in Ogbadibo Local Government Area.

Nwadiogbu said police operatives arrested the 16 Cameroonian nationals in Otukpo on October 9 after they allegedly failed to produce the required travel documents. Preliminary investigations indicated that the individuals had claimed they came to settle in the area but could not provide satisfactory explanations about their purpose.

The commissioner said the suspects were taken into custody for investigation and verification of their immigration status, adding that the police were examining concerns about their alleged involvement in clandestine activities.

In a separate operation on October 22, police intercepted 18 Nigerien nationals at Orokam. The group reportedly said they were travelling to Ikom in Cross River State, but concerns were raised about the circumstances of their entry into Nigeria and their inability to provide satisfactory explanations about their journey.

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The 18 suspects were transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further questioning and verification of their identities, travel arrangements and immigration status.

Nwadiogbu said the command was working with the relevant authorities, including the Nigeria Immigration Service, to establish the facts and determine the appropriate action under the law.

The police have not publicly announced specific criminal charges against the 34 foreign nationals. Their arrest does not, in itself, establish that they committed a crime, and investigations into the circumstances of both incidents are continuing.

The arrests were among several security developments reported by the command for October. Nwadiogbu also disclosed that security operatives had rescued 29 kidnapped victims during operations across Benue State, with assistance from other security agencies and local security groups.

The police said the operations formed part of ongoing efforts to tackle kidnapping and other security threats, verify suspicious movements and protect lives and property across the state.