By Eshioromeh Sebastian
The Benue State Police Command has arrested 46 suspects in connection with the blockade of the convoy of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, during his visit to the state.
Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing journalists in Makurdi, the state capital.
According to the commissioner, the arrests followed an intelligence-led investigation into Tuesday’s incident, which occurred along the Makurdi-Gboko federal highway.
He explained that the command was notified of Obi’s planned visit at about 5:30pm on Monday and responded by deploying security personnel, including three police escort vehicles led by an Assistant Commissioner of Police.
Nwadiogbu said a group of persons later blocked Obi’s movement, creating tension that could have escalated into violence.
He stated that officers initially refrained from using force to prevent casualties and damage to property, adding that the decision should not be interpreted as failure to act.
“Key arrests have been made, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend all other persons connected with the incident,” he said.
The commissioner disclosed that Obi was eventually escorted safely to the airport, from where he departed the state.
He said undercover officers were also deployed to identify those involved and establish the circumstances and motives behind the incident.
Nwadiogbu maintained that the police would remain politically neutral and professional, stressing that every Nigerian is entitled to freedom of movement regardless of political affiliation.
“No individual or group has the right to unlawfully obstruct another person’s movement,” he said.
He warned that the command would not tolerate actions capable of triggering political tension as the 2027 general elections approach.
The commissioner explained that the police were initially informed that Obi’s visit was not a campaign activity but a humanitarian trip to sympathise with families affected by the Yelwata crisis.
He said representatives of the former Anambra State governor had indicated that only a small delegation would accompany him, prompting the command to make additional security arrangements.
Nwadiogbu added that he was personally attending to another security situation involving road blockades around Taka and Guma when he was alerted to the obstruction involving Obi.
Obi had travelled to Benue to console victims of insecurity in Yelwata, where over 270 persons were reportedly killed in June 2025.
Videos circulating after the incident showed individuals carrying sticks and pursuing vehicles in the convoy.
Meanwhile, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has condemned the blockade, describing it as unacceptable in a democratic society.
In a post on his official X handle, Keyamo said the incident, regardless of the circumstances surrounding it, should be condemned by all men of goodwill.
“Yesterday’s report of the prevention of the Presidential candidate of the NDC, Mr. Peter Obi, by some angry protesters from proceeding to the venue of his visit in Benue State must be condemned by all men of goodwill,” he said.
The minister said it was immaterial whether the protest was caused by internal disagreements within the NDC, as suggested by the Benue State Government, or allegedly sponsored by the APC or another rival party.
“Whether the protest was as a result of internal squabbles within the NDC (as posited by the Benue State Government) or sponsored by the APC or any other rival party, this should not be part of our democracy,” Keyamo said.
He also rejected arguments that Obi’s planned visit to Yelwata was politically motivated, saying such concerns did not justify preventing him from accessing the community.
“Some have also accused Obi of attempting to whip up fresh emotions by attempting to visit Yelwata, where the unfortunate killings happened more than a year ago, just for political reasons, hence the blockade. That is still not acceptable; everyone should be allowed to move about freely and play their politics without such crude interference,” he said.
Keyamo, however, criticised what he described as partisan reporting of political confrontations by sections of the media.
According to him, incidents involving APC candidates are sometimes portrayed as evidence of public rejection, while similar incidents involving opposition politicians are described as attacks by sponsored thugs or hoodlums.
“Many a time when an angry crowd confronts or molests an APC candidate at any level, the partisan Press shamelessly dubs or spins it as ‘rejection’ by ‘Nigerians’. When it concerns the opposition, then it is ‘attack’ by ‘sponsored thugs’ or ‘hoodlums’,” he said.
He urged the media to maintain fairness and neutrality in its coverage of political activities.
“The Press must extricate itself from such partisanship and be fair to all. Whoever is angry at any candidate of any political party should display the anger with the ballot paper on voting day by a simple thumbprint, not by violent acts during campaigns,” Keyamo added.
Speaking after the incident, Obi appealed to security agencies to intervene and ensure that political actors could move freely across the country.
He said his convoy was blocked by individuals shouting, “Peter Obi go back,” while on its way to Yelwata.
“It is ridiculous. Our experience this morning is very, very worrisome. We arrived Makurdi at 9 AM, but on our way to the Yelwata community, to console and show solidarity with the family affected by the killings of over 270 persons in that community, and support them in any way I can, only to be blocked by thugs shouting, ‘Peter Obi go back! Peter Obi go back!'” he said.
“And I was wondering: are we still in Nigeria? Because, even with the campaign I have started, I should be able to move around freely. But we didn’t want to go on and cause confusion and possibly endanger the lives of other people, so I decided to remain as civil as possible”.
“I am using this occasion to appeal to the security agencies, the IG of police, and other agencies, to please intervene and be able to call various state governors to order. I was a state governor myself. This rascality cannot be allowed. We cannot go on this way. This is unacceptable”.
The Benue State Government has denied knowledge of the visit and rejected allegations of involvement in the obstruction.
In a statement by Governor Hyacinth Alia’s Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, the government described Obi’s allegation that state-backed thugs obstructed his movement as unfounded.
The state government said Alia had no reason to deploy thugs against Obi and maintained that any genuine security concern involving a political candidate should be handled by recognised security agencies, not unofficial groups.
Meanwhile, the NDC and the Obidient Movement have condemned the incident and called for a thorough investigation.
The party urged the state government and security agencies to identify those responsible and ensure that they are brought to justice.
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