By Emmanuel Antswen
Makurdi, Jan. 4, 2026
A significant fire completely gutted the office complex of the Mobile Police 13 (Mopol 13) Unit in Makurdi on Sunday morning, raising serious questions about security infrastructure and emergency response protocols. The Benue State Police Command confirmed the incident through its spokesperson, DSP Edet Udeme.
While official statements confirmed the destruction of the office building and reported no casualties, they were notably silent on a critical detail: the status of the unit’s armoury. This omission is significant, as police armouries store firearms, ammunition, and sometimes tactical equipment. A fire in such a section poses dual risks of explosive hazard and potential compromise of security assets. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) independently reported that the blaze did, in fact, affect the armoury section, highlighting a potential discrepancy between eyewitness accounts and official communication.
An anonymous eyewitness on morning duty provided a chilling account: the fire originated in the Squadron Commander’s office around 10 a.m., with smoke quickly giving way to heavy flames that engulfed the structure. “I called my boss, who contacted the fire service, but the building was already engulfed,” the source stated, pointing to a rapid escalation that may have outpaced initial response efforts.
The immediate aftermath saw the complex cordoned off by police, a standard procedure to secure a scene, preserve evidence for an investigation, and ensure public safety, especially given the sensitive nature of a police facility. However, this also restricted media and public access, limiting independent assessment of the damage and the fire’s origin.
Deeper Context and Implications:
This incident transcends a simple property loss report. Fires at security force installations warrant deeper scrutiny for several reasons:
- Infrastructure Vulnerability: It exposes potential vulnerabilities in the fire safety measures of critical government buildings, including the possible absence or failure of early detection systems like smoke alarms and sprinklers.
- Operational Continuity: The destruction of a squadron headquarters disrupts police administrative functions, record-keeping, and possibly operational planning, impacting the unit’s effectiveness in the short term.
- Investigation Focus: The official investigation will likely pursue multiple angles, including electrical faults (a leading cause of building fires), improper storage of flammable materials, or, though less likely, deliberate acts. The point of origin—the Squadron Commander’s office—will be a key focus.
- Accountability and Transparency: The public will expect a clear report on the cause, the full extent of damage (particularly regarding the armoury), and measures to prevent recurrence in other facilities.
While no lives were lost, the destruction of the Mopol 13 complex is a severe operational setback for the Nigeria Police Force in Benue State. It underscores the ever-present risk of fire and the imperative for robust preventive measures and rapid response capabilities, even within the institutions tasked with public safety. The coming days should bring clarity on the cause and the steps being taken to secure other similar facilities across the region.
Edited by Abiemwense Moru
(Source: NAN News)
