Benue govt dismantles illegal checkpoints, warns BSCPG against misconduct

The Benue State Government has dismantled several illegal checkpoints across the state and arrested members of the Benue State Civil Protection Guards (BSCPG) manning them.
The operation was carried out on Tuesday by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security and Internal Affairs, Joseph Har.

He was accompanied by the State Commander and other senior officers of the Benue State Civil Protection Guards (BSCPG).

The operation targeted multiple checkpoints along the Makurdi–Otukpo road.

He acted after noting the proliferation of roadblocks on roads in the state and to verify their legality, in line with the directives of Benue State Commissioner of Police that roads should not be obstructed except for approved reasons.

In Aliade, two checkpoints were dismantled, and the BSCPG personnel on illegal duty were disarmed and arrested.

In Howe, a checkpoint mounted by soldiers near the Chinese office, who claimed to be protecting Chinese Harbor Company and its expatriates, was also ordered removed.

The Special Adviser directed the soldiers to secure the company’s property rather than the highway, noting that the roadblocks were impeding traffic and creating opportunities for criminals when unmanned.

He reiterated that members of the Benue State Civil Protection Guards are to patrol their immediate communities, raise alarms, and act as first responders. They are not to establish checkpoints on highways unless operating alongside the Nigeria Police.

According to a statement by the Media Aide, Mfa Igirigi, the SA urged the public to report any CPG members found operating illegal checkpoints to the State Commander or to his office for appropriate action.