The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has deployed 14 units of specialised forces and 250 tactical officers to Benue State ahead of Easter celebrations. The deployment, confirmed by Police Public Relations Officer DSP Udeme Edet in a statement released Saturday in Makurdi, includes personnel drawn from 16 Police Mobile Force squadrons and various tactical teams. The reinforcement is intended to boost ongoing security operations across the state during the festive period. According to Edet, the deployed officers have been merged with existing tactical units and other security agencies to increase visibility in rural areas, vulnerable communities, and major public spaces. Benue Commissioner of Police Ifeanyi Emenari welcomed the IG's support and affirmed the command's preparedness to sustain peace before, during, and after Easter. He urged residents to remain alert, abide by the law, and report suspicious activities to the nearest police formation.
Deploying 250 tactical officers and 14 specialised units signals a serious concern about security in Benue, not just a routine festive measure. If the situation were fully under control, such a heavy reinforcement from 16 PMF squadrons would not be necessary. This level of intervention suggests that existing security structures in the state are seen as insufficient to handle potential threats. For residents, it means the risk of unrest or violence during the period is considered high enough to warrant an exceptional police presence.
