A late-night fire on Saturday completely gutted the 13 Police Mobile Force (PMF) Squadron office and armoury in Makurdi, the capital of Benue State. The inferno, which reportedly started in the early hours of Sunday, left the police facilities in ruins, destroying offices and critical equipment.
Videos circulating on social media showed flames engulfing the Mopol 13 facilities. In one clip, a distressed voice narrated the scale of the destruction. “This is Mopol 13 that burned this morning, early this morning. This is the armoury; everything burned. Oh boy! Mopol 13 armoury got burned this morning,” the narrator said.
The person in the video also indicated that the Squadron Commander’s office was affected. “Even the Squadron Commander’s office. Everything got burned. Wonderful, wonderful shall never end,” the voice lamented.
The cause of the fire remains unknown. Authorities at the Benue State Police Command have not provided an official explanation as attempts to reach the spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.
The destruction of Mopol 13’s office and armoury raises concerns about operational readiness and security in Benue State. Police Mobile Force units play a critical role in rapid response to emergencies, including violent crimes, communal clashes, and terrorist threats. The loss of an armoury could affect the force’s ability to respond promptly to such incidents.
Benue State, located in Nigeria’s North-Central region, has faced multiple security challenges over the years, including clashes between farmers and herders, armed robberies, and other criminal activities. The Mopol 13 unit is one of the state’s key security formations deployed to maintain law and order.
The fire has attracted widespread attention on social media, with users expressing shock and concern over the incident. Many Nigerians highlighted the need for an urgent investigation to determine the cause of the fire and to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
“This is worrying. How does a police armoury burn? We need answers fast. Lives and properties depend on these officers being ready,” one Twitter user commented. Another post read, “If the armoury is gone, how will they respond to attacks? The government must act now.”
Videos of the blaze went viral within hours, showing thick smoke, burning structures, and emergency response efforts. Though the footage confirmed the destruction, it did not provide clues about the origin of the fire.
Fire outbreaks in sensitive facilities such as police offices and armouries pose unique challenges. Investigators must determine whether such incidents result from accidental causes, poor electrical wiring, negligence, or deliberate acts. In many parts of Nigeria, fire safety measures in public institutions have been inadequate, with limited firefighting equipment and insufficient training for personnel.
The Benue State Police Command has yet to release an official statement about the fire. Efforts to reach DSP Udeme Edet, the spokesperson for the command, were unsuccessful. It remains unclear whether any investigation has been launched to ascertain the cause of the fire or whether any personnel were injured during the incident.
Nigeria has witnessed similar incidents in the past where police stations, military posts, and other security facilities were damaged by fire. In many cases, these fires have been linked to electrical faults, poor maintenance, or, in some instances, suspected sabotage.
Benue State has experienced a history of communal clashes, herders-farmers conflict, and criminal activities that make the readiness of security forces crucial. The destruction of Mopol 13’s office and armoury at this time could hamper rapid deployment and emergency response in the state.