The Benue State Police Command says it has arrested 46 people allegedly connected to the obstruction of Peter Obi’s convoy during his visit to the state on Tuesday.
The Benue Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, disclosed this on Wednesday while speaking to journalists in Makurdi, the state capital.
Nwadiogbu said the command was informed of Obi’s visit at about 5:30pm on Monday, after which security personnel were deployed. The team included three police escort vehicles led by an assistant commissioner of police.
According to the commissioner, a group of people later blocked Obi’s movement, creating tension that could have resulted in violence.
He said the police deliberately avoided using force at the time to prevent possible deaths and damage to property.
Nwadiogbu said Obi was eventually escorted safely to the airport and subsequently left the state.
The commissioner explained that the decision not to use force immediately did not mean the police had failed to act, saying the command launched intelligence-led operations to identify those responsible for the incident.
“Key arrests have been made, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend all other persons connected with the incident,” he said.
Nwadiogbu maintained that 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 investigations were still ongoing and that anyone found culpable would face prosecution in line with the law.
The commissioner appealed to residents to remain calm and allow the police to complete their investigation.
“No individual or group has the right to unlawfully obstruct another person’s movement,” he said.
Nwadiogbu said the police were informed that Obi’s visit was not campaign-related but intended to enable him to sympathise with families affected by the Yelwata crisis.
He said Obi’s representatives had told the command that only a small number of people would accompany him, leading the police to provide enhanced security for the visit.
The commissioner added that he was personally attending to another security incident involving road blockades around Taka and Guma when he was informed about the obstruction of Obi’s convoy.
He said the command also deployed undercover officers to identify those involved in the incident and establish their motives.
Nwadiogbu warned that with the country moving closer to the 2027 elections, security agencies would not tolerate activities capable of worsening political tensions.
He assured residents that the police would continue to enforce the law while safeguarding lives and property.
Background
On Tuesday, a mob reportedly blocked Obi’s convoy along Gboko Road as he attempted to enter Benue State.
Videos shared by Esther Umoh, Obi’s photographer, showed people carrying sticks and chasing 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 sympathise with victims of insecurity, insisting that the visit was not connected to campaign activities.
The Benue State Government, however, said it was unaware of the visit and denied any involvement in the incident.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and the Obidient Movement condemned the mob action against Obi.
They called on the Benue government and relevant security agencies to investigate the incident and ensure that those responsible were brought to justice.