The Benue State administration has cleared various illicit checkpoints and apprehended members of the Benue State Civil Protection Guards (BSCPG) associated with them. Joseph Har, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security and Internal Affairs, led the initiative on Tuesday alongside senior BSCPG officials.
Focusing on the Makurdi–Otukpo route, the mission aimed to curb the rise of unauthorized road obstructions, adhering to instructions from the State Commissioner of Police regarding traffic flow. During the sweep, two stations in Aliade were closed, and the personnel involved were disarmed and detained. Additionally, soldiers positioned near the Chinese Harbor Company in Howe were instructed to abandon their highway roadblock and focus exclusively on guarding company premises, as these checkpoints were hindering travel and inviting criminal activity.
Har emphasized that the primary duties of the BSCPG include community monitoring and serving as first responders, not managing highway stops unless accompanied by the Nigeria Police. Per Media Aide Mfa Igirigi, the public is encouraged to report any sightings of unauthorized CPG roadblocks to command authorities for immediate disciplinary intervention.