Peter Obi: Police arrest 46 in Benue over convoy attack

The Benue State Police Command has arrested 46 persons in connection with the obstruction of the convoy of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, (NDC) presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, during his visit to the state on Tuesday.

The Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, disclosed this on Wednesday in Makurdi, saying the arrests followed intelligence-led operations launched by the command after the incident. Blueprint reports

The development came barely 24 hours after Obi’s convoy was stopped by a group of youths along the Gboko-Makurdi expressway as he travelled towards Yelwata in Guma Local Government Area (LGA).

Obi had visited Benue as part of a planned humanitarian engagement with communities affected by the June 13, 2025 attack in Yelwata, where scores of people were killed.

The incident, however, prevented the former Anambra state governor from reaching his intended destination, with the confrontation between the youths and members of his entourage generating widespread condemnation and political controversy.

Police explain deployment

Nwadiogbu said the police command was informed about Obi’s planned visit at about 5:30pm on Monday, September 7, and subsequently made security arrangements to protect him during his movement in the state.

According to him, the command deployed three police escort vehicles with personnel led by an Assistant Commissioner of Police to accompany the NDC presidential candidate.

The commissioner said the police were aware that Obi’s visit was not scheduled as a campaign rally but was intended to enable him visit victims and families affected by the Yelwata violence.

He said the police deployment was therefore designed to ensure the former governor could move safely within the state.

The commissioner explained that trouble began when a group of youths obstructed the movement of Obi’s convoy, creating a tense situation that, in the assessment of the police, could have escalated into violence.

Nwadiogbu said the officers on the ground decided against a confrontation because of the possibility of loss of lives and destruction of property.

Police escort Obi back to airport

The police boss said the command subsequently took what he described as a professional and tactical decision to avoid escalating the situation.

He explained that rather than engage the youths in a confrontation, the police prioritised Obi’s safety and escorted him back to the airport.

According to him, Obi eventually departed Benue peacefully.

Nwadiogbu stressed that the decision to withdraw Obi from the area should not be interpreted as police inaction.

He said the command immediately commenced intelligence-led operations to identify the people involved in the obstruction.

The commissioner disclosed that 46 persons had so far been arrested, while efforts were continuing to apprehend other individuals believed to have been connected with the incident.

He also warned that nobody had the right to unlawfully obstruct the movement of another Nigerian, regardless of the person’s political affiliation or status.

Police promise prosecution

Nwadiogbu reaffirmed the neutrality of the Benue State Police Command, insisting that the police remained committed to protecting the rights of all citizens.

He said the command would continue its investigation and ensure that anyone found culpable would face the law.

“The Benue State Police Command remains a neutral and professional institution,” the commissioner said, stressing that every Nigerian has the right to freedom of movement.

The commissioner also appealed to residents to remain calm and cooperate with investigators as the command works to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

He said the investigation would not only focus on those who were arrested but would also seek to identify other persons connected with the obstruction.

Why Obi was in Benue

Obi’s visit to Benue was not originally planned as a political campaign outing.

The NDC presidential candidate had travelled to the state to visit Yelwata, a community in Guma Local Government Area that was devastated by a deadly attack on June 13, 2025.

The attack attracted national and international attention after scores of residents were killed and thousands were displaced.

Obi had said his intention was to visit the affected community, meet with victims and sympathise with families who lost loved ones.

The police also said they were informed that the purpose of the visit was humanitarian rather than political.

However, his convoy encountered the group of youths before reaching Yelwata.

Reports indicated that the youths barricaded the road and prevented the convoy from proceeding.

Videos from the scene subsequently circulated on social media, showing a confrontation around the convoy and intensifying concerns over political intolerance and security ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Benue government denies involvement

The Benue state government has denied allegations that it was responsible for the obstruction of Obi’s convoy.

The government, through Governor Hyacinth Alia’s Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, said it only became aware of the incident after photographs and reports of the confrontation emerged.

Kula said Governor Alia subsequently directed the police to investigate the incident, identify those responsible and ensure that anyone found culpable answered questions.

The government also challenged Obi and the NDC to provide evidence for their allegation that a government aide was responsible for mobilising the youths who blocked the convoy.

According to the state government, if there were legitimate security concerns about Obi’s visit, the appropriate security agencies should have been deployed rather than youths being used to stop him.

The denial has added another dimension to the controversy, with political actors trading accusations over who was behind the incident.

Obi alleges political intimidation

Following the incident, Obi accused individuals linked to the state government of mobilising youths to prevent him from reaching Yelwata.

The NDC and supporters of the former Anambra governor condemned what they described as an attempt to intimidate an opposition presidential candidate.

The party and the Obidient Movement called for an investigation into the incident and questioned why Obi would be prevented from visiting communities affected by a major security tragedy.

The allegations have not been established by the police, which has said its investigation is aimed at determining why the youths blocked the convoy and identifying everyone involved.

More than 10 youths reportedly injured

The confrontation also reportedly resulted in injuries.

More than 10 youths were taken to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, for treatment following the incident, according to a hospital source cited by The Star.

The injured persons were reportedly brought to the facility after the confrontation involving Obi’s convoy along the Gboko-Makurdi Expressway.

The reported injuries have further raised concerns about the potential consequences of political confrontations, particularly as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 elections.

Obi continues visit from Plateau

Although Obi was unable to reach Yelwata, he later proceeded to neighbouring Plateau State.

Reports said the NDC presidential candidate visited Mangu Local Government Area, where he met residents and victims affected by attacks in the area.

His movement to Plateau followed the disruption of his planned engagement in Benue.

The development has since generated reactions from political figures and groups across the country.

Former Kano State Governor and Obi’s political associate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, condemned the incident and warned against attempts to restrict opposition politicians from moving freely.

African Action Congress presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore also condemned the incident, warning against political violence, intimidation and thuggery as the country moves towards another election cycle.

Police vow to maintain neutrality

The Benue police command has insisted that its primary responsibility is to protect lives and property and ensure that citizens can move freely irrespective of political affiliation.

Nwadiogbu said the command would not allow individuals or groups to unlawfully prevent other Nigerians from exercising their constitutional rights.

He warned that anyone found to have participated in the obstruction would be dealt with in accordance with the law.

The commissioner also urged residents to remain calm and avoid actions capable of worsening political tensions in the state.

With 46 persons already arrested and further arrests expected, the police investigation is now expected to establish the identities and roles of those involved, as well as the circumstances that led to the confrontation.

The incident has meanwhile raised fresh concerns about political tolerance, freedom of movement and the conduct of political actors ahead of the 2027 general elections.

For the police, the immediate priority remains determining responsibility and ensuring that those found culpable face the law, while the competing political claims surrounding the incident continue to generate debate across Benue and beyond.