MAKURDI — The Benue State Police Command has arrested 46 people suspected of obstructing the convoy of Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), during his visit to the state on Tuesday.
Commissioner of Police Cletus Nwadiogbu announced the arrests on Wednesday while briefing journalists in Makurdi, the state capital. He said investigators were still pursuing alleged organisers among the youths involved and warned that political intolerance would not be tolerated as the 2027 general elections approach.
The incident took place on the Makurdi-Gboko federal highway, a short distance from the airport. Youths mounted a roadblock, closed the two-lane road to other traffic and prevented Mr Obi from travelling to Yelewata in Guma Local Government Area. Some reports said they chanted “Obi go back” and carried sticks.
Mr Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, had arrived in Benue to commiserate with families affected by attacks in June 2025 in which more than 270 people were killed. The police said they were told the trip was humanitarian rather than a campaign event.
Nwadiogbu said the command was notified of the visit at about 5.30pm on Monday and deployed officers, including three escort vehicles led by an assistant commissioner of police. When the convoy was blocked, officers chose not to use force.
“Unfortunately, Mr Obi’s movement was obstructed by a group of persons, creating tension and a situation that could have degenerated into violence,” he said. “At that point the police took a professional and tactical decision to avoid an escalation that could have resulted in loss of lives and destruction of property. Mr Obi was subsequently safely escorted back to the airport and departed the state peacefully.”
He added that intelligence-led operations had already produced key arrests and that efforts continued to identify everyone connected with the blockade. The commissioner stressed that the police remained neutral and that every Nigerian had a right to freedom of movement regardless of political affiliation.
The episode has heightened political tension. Mr Obi described those who stopped him as thugs and called on the Inspector-General of Police and the Department of State Services to intervene. The Benue State Government denied any involvement and said the former governor had not observed proper protocol by notifying the state authorities in advance.
Police said the investigation would continue and that anyone found culpable would face the law.
By John James
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