Benue State Police Command has arrested 46 suspects allegedly linked to the obstruction of the convoy of Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), during his visit to the state on Tuesday.
Gatekeepers News reports that Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing journalists in Makurdi, saying the investigation into the incident was ongoing and efforts were being made to apprehend others connected to it.
Obi had travelled to Benue to visit Yelwata, where he planned to sympathise with families affected by the June 2025 attacks. His convoy, however, was blocked along the Makurdi-Gboko federal highway by a group of people, creating tension and disrupting traffic.
Nwadiogbu said the police had been informed of Obi’s visit on Monday evening and deployed security personnel, including three police escort vehicles led by an assistant commissioner of police. He said officers initially avoided using force to disperse the crowd in order to prevent possible loss of lives and destruction of property.
According to the commissioner, Obi was eventually escorted safely back to the airport and left the state. He said the police subsequently launched intelligence-led operations and deployed undercover personnel to identify those responsible for the obstruction.
Nwadiogbu stressed that the police remained neutral and professional, adding that every Nigerian has the right to freedom of movement regardless of political affiliation or status. He warned that anyone found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The Benue government has denied involvement in the incident, saying it was unaware of Obi’s visit and rejecting allegations that Governor Hyacinth Alia or his administration deployed thugs to block the politician.
The police commissioner also warned that security agencies would not tolerate actions capable of escalating political tensions as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.
