A devastating fire outbreak has razed a section of the Mobile Police (Mopol) 13 facility in Makurdi, the Benue State capital. The inferno, which occurred in the early hours of Sunday, January 4, 2026, reportedly destroyed several offices and the unit’s high-security armoury.
Eyewitness accounts suggest the disaster began around 10:00 AM. A staff member on duty recounted the terrifying moments the fire was discovered:
“I saw smoke emanating from the Squadron Commander’s office. I tried to inquire, then the next thing I saw was heavy flame. Everything got burnt,” the source stated. Despite a distress call to the fire service, the blaze moved with such speed that the building was almost entirely engulfed before firefighters could arrive.
The Benue State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Udeme Edet, confirmed the incident but noted that a full assessment of the damage is still underway.
“Yes, I am aware of the fire outbreak at the Mopol 13 facility in Makurdi, but I will get back to you with more details,” Edet told journalists on Sunday afternoon.
While the loss of the armoury section has raised immediate concerns regarding security assets, the cause of the fire remains unknown. No official statement has been released regarding casualties or the potential for ammunition explosions during the blaze.
The Benue State Police Command is expected to launch a formal investigation into the root cause of the fire as emergency teams continue to dampen the remains of the facility.