Security Crackdown: Benue State Government dismantles Illegal roadblocks
…arrests guards on Makurdi–Otukpo Highway
By our correspondent
MAKURDI– Benue State authorities under the leadership of Governor Hyacinth Alia have launched a major clampdown on unauthorized roadblocks, dismantling several illegal checkpoints along the busy Makurdi–Otukpo Road and arresting members of the Benue State Civil Protection Guards, BSCPG, found operating them.
The operation, coordinated by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security and Internal Affairs; Chief Joseph Har, marks the government’s latest effort to restore order, ease movement of goods and commuters, and curb extortion and harassment along the state’s key transport corridor.
According to officials, operatives moved swiftly to pull down the makeshift barriers that had sprung up at multiple points on the highway. Several BSCPG personnel caught manning the checkpoints without authorization were taken into custody for further investigation.
The government also ordered the immediate removal of a military checkpoint stationed near a Chinese construction company in Howe, along the same route. The Special Adviser directed the troops to disengage from highway duties and refocus their assignment on securing the construction facility, in line with their operational mandate.
Speaking on the development, government officials reiterated that the Benue State Civil Protection Guards do not have the legal authority to mount checkpoints independently on public roads. The BSCPG was established to support security agencies through intelligence gathering, community protection, and response to emergencies, not to regulate traffic or stop vehicles at will.
“The administration will not tolerate any group or individual creating roadblocks that inconvenience citizens and undermine legitimate security operations,” an official said. “These illegal checkpoints not only slow down economic activity but also create avenues for intimidation and extortion.”
Residents and motorists who ply the Makurdi–Otukpo Road have long complained about delays and multiple stops at unauthorized points, especially during peak travel hours. Traders transporting farm produce, fuel tankers, and commercial drivers say the roadblocks increased travel time and costs, with ripple effects on market prices in Makurdi and Otukpo.
The state government has now urged members of the public to be vigilant and report any unauthorized roadblocks or personnel demanding stops on the highway. Citizens can channel complaints through the Office of the Special Adviser on Security and Internal Affairs or through existing security control rooms.
Security analysts note that unchecked checkpoints often become security risks themselves, as they can be exploited by non-state actors. By consolidating checkpoint authority under statutory security agencies, the government aims to improve accountability and ensure a safer environment for businesses and residents.
The Special Adviser assured that monitoring will continue along the Makurdi–Otukpo axis and other major routes to prevent a resurgence of illegal roadblocks. He stressed that all security outfits operating in the state must work within approved frameworks and avoid actions that could erode public trust.
With the latest action, the Benue government says it is signaling zero tolerance for parallel security structures on state roads, while maintaining focus on protecting critical infrastructure and ensuring free movement across Benue.
Recall that Benue State is amongst States in North-central Nigeria witnessing massive killings and attacks by terrorists.
