1 September 2026 · Law enforcement operation
Security in Makurdi
OpenWatch has recorded 185 security incidents in Makurdi Local Government Area, Benue State, with 16 in the last 12 months. That is 14% of every incident recorded in the state, making it 1 of 15 among the Benue LGAs with enough reporting to profile.
Incidents · 12 mo
16
Fatalities · 12 mo
16
Incidents · all-time
185
Fatalities · all-time
209
Latest reported incidents in Makurdi
Most recent involve communal violence, law enforcement operation, cult/gang violence, gender-based violence
29 August 2026 · Gender-based violence
Student scalded with hot water in Makurdi
21 July 2026 · Murder
An alleged phone thief was caught and severely beaten by a mob of youths at Ugbokolo Street in Makurdi's High-Level area after stealing a mobile phone and N200 from a local salon. The Special Adviser to the Benue State Governor on Internal Security intervened and rescued the suspect from the lynching mob, after which the suspect was counselled and transported back to his home town.
12 July 2026 · Law enforcement operation
Two women were arrested in Makurdi, Benue State, for allegedly staging a fake kidnapping to extort ransom from a family member. One suspect left her home on July 12, 2026, and the following day her mother in Lagos received a ransom demand; police traced the supposed victim to a hotel in Ankpa Quarters where she was found with her alleged accomplice.
8 July 2026 · Communal violence
Unidentified gunmen killed a History professor at Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi at his residence in the early hours of Wednesday while he was asleep. The motive for the attack remains unknown and no arrests had been made as of the time of reporting.
23 May 2026 · Cult/gang violence
A fugitive linked to fraud was killed during a gunfire exchange with suspected cultists in Makurdi, Benue State. The incident occurred when EFCC operatives attempted to apprehend the fugitive and his associates.
23 May 2026 · Communal violence
A 16-year-old boy was allegedly shot and killed by operatives of the EFCC in Makurdi while he was on bail. The incident occurred after the boy was reportedly called to a hotel by the operatives, where he was shot at close range.
21 May 2026 · Communal violence
A cybercrime suspect died following a gun battle with operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in Makurdi, Benue State. The suspect was shot during an exchange of fire after he and his associates allegedly opened fire on the operatives.
11 May 2026 · Communal violence
At least eight people were killed by suspected cultists in the early hours of May 11 on Aliade Street in Makurdi, Benue State. The attack involved young men on motorcycles who shot victims in their sleep.
9 May 2026 · Cult/gang violence
Police arrested 11 suspects in connection with cult-related killings that occurred in the High Level area of Makurdi, where armed men invaded residences and shot young men. The operation is believed to have been led by a notorious gang leader.
Other areas in Benue
About these figures
Counts cover incidents recorded in Makurdi LGA, excluding retracted reports and duplicates merged into an earlier report, and update hourly. Last recorded: 1 September 2026.
Reported numbers are a floor, not a census. Local government areas differ enormously in how closely they are covered by the press, so a low count reflects both a safer area and a quieter one. Coverage in this record is densest from 2026 onward. See the full Benue profile for state-level context, or the methodology for how incidents are collected.
Track Makurdi live on the incident map.