Fire razes Mopol 13 office, armoury in Benue

The Benue State Police Command has confirmed that a fire incident affected the premises accommodating the Mobile Police Force, Mopol 13, in Makurdi, including its armoury.

Confirming the development, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Udeme Edet, said she was aware of the incident but noted that comprehensive details were still being compiled.

“Yes, I am aware of the fire outbreak at the Mopol 13 facility in Makurdi, but I will get back to you,” she told journalists.

According to information the fire broke out in the early hours of Sunday and spread rapidly, consuming several office spaces and the armoury within the facility.

An eyewitness, who requested anonymity, explained that the fire began from one of the offices. 

He said, “I was on morning duty and at about 10 a.m. or thereabout, I saw smoke emanating from the Squadron Commander’s office.

“I tried to inquire, then the next thing I saw was heavy flame from the Squadron Commander’s office.

“I quickly called my boss, who later called for fire service men. But before the fire officials could arrive, the whole place had been engulfed by fire.”

As of the time of filing this report, authorities have not determined the cause of the fire, while the full scale of damage and losses remains unclear.