A significant fire outbreak on Sunday morning completely destroyed the office complex of the Mobile Police 13 (Mopol 13) Unit in Makurdi, Benue State.
Official Confirmation and Initial Details
The Benue State Police Command confirmed the incident through its spokesperson, DSP Edet Udeme. Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) via telephone, Udeme stated that the fire ravaged the office building. She confirmed that no casualties were recorded in the blaze, which occurred on January 4, 2026.
However, the police spokesperson declined to comment on the status of the armoury located within the complex. This has raised questions, as NAN reports indicated that the inferno affected several offices, including the section housing the armoury.
Eyewitness Account of the Blaze
An eyewitness at the scene, who requested anonymity, provided a chilling account of how the disaster unfolded. The source reported being on morning duty when they noticed smoke billowing from the Squadron Commander's office around 10 a.m.
"Soon after, heavy flames erupted, and everything got burned," the witness said. "I called my boss, who contacted the fire service, but the building was already engulfed." This timeline suggests the fire spread with alarming speed, overwhelming initial response efforts.
Aftermath and Secured Scene
In the wake of the incident, police authorities swiftly cordoned off the entire office complex. This security measure prevented both media personnel and the general public from gaining access to the scene to assess the full extent of the damage.
The cause of the fire remains unknown at this time. The destruction of a key police facility like the Mopol 13 complex represents a serious incident, with investigations expected to focus on the origin of the fire and the condition of sensitive materials potentially affected.
