The police said they have arrested 46 people allegedly linked to obstructing the convoy of Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), during his visit to Benue State on Tuesday.
The Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing journalists in Makurdi, the state capital.
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Mr Nwadiogbu said the command was informed of Mr Obi’s visit at about 5:30 p.m. on Monday and deployed security personnel, including three police escort vehicles led by an assistant commissioner of police, to provide security for the visit.
The commissioner said the situation changed when a group of people blocked the convoy, creating tension that could have escalated into violence.
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He said the police initially refrained from using force because of concerns over possible loss of lives and destruction of property.
Mr Nwadiogbu said the police eventually escorted Mr Obi safely to the airport, from where he left the state.
He said the decision not to use force should not be interpreted as inaction by the police, adding that intelligence-led operations were immediately launched to identify those involved.
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“Key arrests have been made, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend all other persons connected with the incident,” he said.
The commissioner said the police remained neutral and professional, stressing that every Nigerian has the right to freedom of movement irrespective of political affiliation, status or personal belief.
He said anyone found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
“No individual or group has the right to obstruct another person’s movement unlawfully,” Mr Nwadiogbu said.
The commissioner said the police were informed that Mr Obi’s visit was a non-campaign trip to sympathise with families affected by the Yelwata crisis.
According to him, Mr Obi’s representatives told the police that only a small number of people would accompany him, prompting the police to provide enhanced security.
Mr Nwadiogbu said he was personally attending to another security situation involving road blockades around Tarka and Guma when he received information that Mr Obi’s convoy had been obstructed.
He added that undercover personnel were deployed to identify those involved and determine their motives.
What happened
PREMIUM TIMES reported on Tuesday that Mr Obi’s convoy was blocked by suspected thugs who prevented the politician from proceeding into Makurdi.
The incident occurred along Gboko Road near the Air Force Base after Mr Obi arrived in Benue for a visit.
Esther Umoh, Mr Obi’s campaign photographer, had said in a post on X that suspected sponsored thugs blocked the road to prevent the NDC candidate from entering the state.
Videos obtained by PREMIUM TIMES showed men carrying sticks and other objects pursuing the convoy as it turned back.
Another video showed policemen positioned between the convoy and the group.
Mr Obi later addressed his supporters and said he had come to Benue to sympathise with communities affected by recent killings.
State government denies involvement
The Benue State Government denied involvement in the incident and rejected allegations that the suspected thugs were acting on its behalf.
In a statement signed by Tersoo Kula, chief press secretary to Governor Hyacinth Alia, on Tuesday, the government said it had no knowledge of the alleged action against Mr Obi.
The government also questioned why the NDC candidate’s visit had not been formally communicated to the relevant security authorities.
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Mr Kula said the government did not engage or deploy thugs as instruments of governance or security, adding that recognised security agencies were responsible for maintaining law and order in the state.
The development prompted condemnation from Amnesty International, which described the alleged use of political thugs to block Mr Obi’s movement as political repression and called for an investigation.
Police warn ahead of 2027 elections
Mr Nwadiogbu warned that security agencies would not tolerate actions that could heighten political tensions as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.
He assured residents that the police would continue to enforce the law while protecting lives and property.
The latest arrests are expected to provide further details on the circumstances surrounding the obstruction of Mr Obi’s convoy and whether those arrested acted independently or were linked to any political or other groups.
The police investigation is ongoing.
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