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The Benue State Police Command has arrested 46 persons in connection with the obstruction of the convoy of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, 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. Project reports
The development came barely 24 hours after Obi’s convoy was stopped by a group of youths along the Gboko-Makurdi expressway while traveling 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 governor of Anambra State from reaching his intended destination, and the clash between the youths and members of his entourage generated widespread condemnation and political controversy.
Police explain the deployment
Nwadiogbu said the police command was informed of Obi’s scheduled visit at around 5.30pm on Monday, September 7, and subsequently took security measures to protect him during his movement in the state.
According to him, the command has deployed three police escort vehicles manned led by a Deputy Commissioner of Police to accompany the NDC presidential candidate.
The commissioner said the police were aware that Obi’s visit was not intended as an election rally but was intended to enable him to 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 the unrest began when a group of young people obstructed the movement of Obi’s convoy, creating a tense situation which, according to the police assessment, could have degenerated into violence.
Nwadiogbu said officers at the scene decided not to proceed with the confrontation due to the risk of loss of life and destruction of property.
The police escort Obi to the airport
The police chief said the command subsequently made what he described as a professional and tactical decision to avoid an escalation of the situation.
He explained that instead of engaging the youths in a confrontation, the police prioritized Obi’s safety and escorted him to the airport.
According to him, Obi eventually left 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 launched intelligence-led operations to identify those involved in the obstruction.
The commissioner said 46 people have been arrested so far, while efforts continue to arrest others believed to be linked to the incident.
He further warned that no one has the right to illegally obstruct the movement of another Nigerian, regardless of the person’s political affiliation or status.
The police promise a trial
Nwadiogbu reaffirmed the neutrality of the Benue State Police Command, insisting that the police remain committed to protecting the rights of all citizens.
He said the command will continue its investigation and ensure that anyone found guilty will 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 called on residents to remain calm and cooperate with investigators as the command works to establish the circumstances of the accident.
He said the investigation would not only focus on those arrested, but would also seek to identify other people linked to the obstruction.
Because Obi was in Benue
Obi’s visit to Benue was not originally planned as a political campaign trip.
The NDC presidential candidate was in the state to visit Yelwata, a community in Guma Local Government Area devastated by a deadly attack on June 13, 2025.
The attack attracted national and international attention after dozens of residents were killed and thousands displaced.
Obi had said his intention was to visit the affected community, meet the victims and sympathize with the families who lost their loved ones.
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.
The youths reportedly barricaded the road and prevented the convoy from proceeding.
Videos from the scene later circulated on social media, showing a clash around the convoy and intensifying concerns about political intolerance and security ahead of the 2027 general election.
The 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 officer, Tersoo Kula, said it only became aware of the incident after photographs and reports of the clash emerged.
Kula said Governor Alia subsequently ordered the police to investigate the incident, identify those responsible and ensure that anyone found guilty answered questions.
The government also challenged Obi and the NDC to provide evidence to support their allegation that a government aide was responsible for mobilizing the youths who blocked the convoy.
According to the state government, if there had been legitimate security concerns over Obi’s visit, appropriate security agencies should have been deployed instead of using youths to stop him.
The denial added another dimension to the controversy, with political actors exchanging accusations over who was behind the incident.
Obi denounces political intimidation
Following the incident, Obi accused people linked to the state government of mobilizing youths to stop him from reaching Yelwata.
The NDC and supporters of the former Anambra governor have 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 barred from visiting communities affected by a major security tragedy.
Charges have not been established by police, who said their investigations aim to determine why the youths blocked the convoy and to identify all those involved.
More than 10 youths were reportedly injured
The clash also reportedly resulted in injuries.
According to a hospital source quoted by The Star, more than 10 youths were taken to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, for treatment following the incident.
The injured persons were reportedly taken to the facility following the collision involving Obi’s convoy along the Gboko-Makurdi highway.
The reported injuries have further raised concerns about the potential consequences of political clashes, particularly as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 elections.
Obi continues the visit from Plateau
Although Obi failed to reach Yelwata, he later traveled to neighboring Plateau state.
Reports say the NDC presidential candidate visited Mangu Local Government Area where he met with residents and victims affected by attacks in the area.
His move to the Plateau followed the interruption of his scheduled 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, has condemned the incident and warned against attempts to restrict the free movement of opposition politicians.
African Action Congress presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore also condemned the incident, warning of political violence, intimidation and thugs as the country heads into another election cycle.
The police promise 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 regardless 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 involved in the obstruction would be dealt with in accordance with the law.
The commissioner also urged residents to remain calm and avoid actions that could worsen political tensions in the state.
With 46 people 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 collision.
Meanwhile, the incident has raised new 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 those found guilty face the law, as competing political claims over the incident continue to generate debate in Benue and beyond.
