Security personnel stationed at the Food Basket Brewery in Makurdi, Benue State, successfully prevented an attempted arson attack on the facility in the early hours of Tuesday.
The incident was confirmed by the Management of the Benue Investment and Property Company Limited (BIPC) in a statement dated February 4, 2026.
According to the company, unidentified individuals suspected to be arsonists tried to gain access to the brewery around 4:00 a.m. by breaching the perimeter fence.
BIPC disclosed that the intruders allegedly entered from the rear of the premises, close to the raw materials storage area, and were reportedly in possession of containers believed to be filled with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), with plans to ignite parts of the facility.
The statement explained that alert security operatives noticed the unusual movement and promptly acted to stop the intrusion.
“On realising that they had been detected, the suspects took to their heels and fled the scene,” BIPC stated.
The company assured that the attempted attack did not result in any damage, adding that activities at the brewery were not disrupted.
BIPC praised the vigilance, courage and professionalism of the security personnel, noting that their swift response prevented what could have been a major setback for the state-owned establishment.
The management further revealed that it has commenced collaboration with relevant security agencies to thoroughly investigate the incident and ensure that those responsible are identified and prosecuted.
It also announced that security architecture across all BIPC facilities has been strengthened to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Reaffirming the strategic value of the Food Basket Brewery and other subsidiaries, BIPC described them as shared assets of the people of Benue State, created to generate employment, drive economic development and enhance internally generated revenue.
The company also called on members of the public to stay alert and report any suspicious movements around BIPC facilities to the appropriate authorities.
Benue: Suspected arsonists flee as security foils attack on Food Basket Brewery
