The Benue State Police Command has arrested 46 persons allegedly linked to the obstruction of the convoy of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, during his visit to the state on Tuesday.
The arrests came as the police contradicted the Benue State Government’s claim that it was unaware of Obi’s visit, with the Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, disclosing that the command had been formally notified ahead of the former Anambra governor’s arrival.
Nwadiogbu made the disclosure on Wednesday while addressing journalists in Makurdi, saying the command was informed of Obi’s visit at about 5:30 p.m. on Monday and subsequently deployed security personnel to provide protection for the presidential candidate.
According to the commissioner, the security deployment included three police escort vehicles led by an Assistant Commissioner of Police.
He explained that the command was informed that Obi’s visit was intended as a non-campaign trip to sympathise with families affected by the Yelwata crisis, adding that his representatives had indicated that only a small number of persons would accompany him.
The notification prompted the police to provide enhanced security for the visit, Nwadiogbu said.
However, the situation reportedly turned tense when a group of persons blocked Obi’s movement, creating a confrontation that the police said could have escalated into violence.
Nwadiogbu said the command deliberately avoided the immediate use of force in order to prevent possible loss of lives and destruction of property.
He said Obi was eventually escorted safely to the airport and subsequently left the state.
The commissioner said the police decision to exercise restraint should not be mistaken for inaction, explaining that the command immediately commenced intelligence-led operations to identify those behind the obstruction.
“Key arrests have been made, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend all other persons connected with the incident,” he said.
The disclosure means the police account directly contradicts the position of the Benue State Government, which had said it was unaware of Obi’s visit and denied involvement in the incident.
Nwadiogbu reaffirmed the neutrality of the police, stressing that every Nigerian has the right to freedom of movement irrespective of political affiliation, status or personal belief.
He said the investigation remained ongoing and that anyone found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
“No individual or group has the right to unlawfully obstruct another person’s movement,” he said.
The commissioner added that he was personally handling another security situation involving road blockades around Taka and Guma when he received information about the obstruction of Obi’s convoy.
He said the command also deployed undercover personnel to identify those involved and establish their motives.
Nwadiogbu warned that as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections, security agencies would not tolerate actions capable of heightening political tensions or threatening public order.
He assured residents that the police would continue to enforce the law while protecting lives and property, urging the public to remain calm and allow investigators to conclude their work.
How Obi’s Convoy Was Blocked
Obi’s convoy was reportedly blocked on Tuesday along Gboko Road while he was attempting to enter Benue State.
Videos shared by Esther Umoh, Obi’s photographer, showed people allegedly wielding sticks and pursuing the convoy. Umoh said the road from the airport into town had been blocked because Obi was expected to visit people in the state.
Obi later said he travelled to Benue to console families affected by insecurity and insisted that his visit was not for campaign activities.
The reported incident drew condemnation from the Nigeria Democratic Congress and the Obidient Movement, which called on the Benue Government and relevant security agencies to investigate the incident and bring those responsible to justice.
The development also followed Obi’s own account of the incident, in which he described the obstruction as “ridiculous” and “very, very worrisome” and appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Services and other security agencies to intervene.
Obi said he had deliberately avoided confrontation to prevent the situation from escalating and warned against allowing political activities to degenerate into violence.
The police said their investigation would establish the circumstances surrounding the obstruction, identify all persons involved and determine their motives, with those found culpable to face prosecution in accordance with the law.
