The Benue State Police Command has arrested 46 persons allegedly linked to the obstruction of the convoy of Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, during his visit to the state on Tuesday.
The Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing journalists in Makurdi, the state capital.
Nwadiogbu said the command was informed of Obi’s visit at about 5:30pm on Monday and subsequently deployed security personnel, including three police escort vehicles led by an Assistant Commissioner of Police.
According to him, a group of persons later blocked Obi’s movement, creating tension that could have escalated into violence.
He said the police initially refrained from using force to disperse the group in order to prevent possible loss of lives and destruction of property.
Nwadiogbu said Obi was eventually escorted safely to the airport and left the state.
The commissioner explained that the decision not to use force should not be interpreted as police inaction, adding that the command immediately commenced intelligence-led operations to identify those behind the incident.
“Key arrests have been made, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend all other persons connected with the incident,” he said.
Nwadiogbu said the police remained neutral and professional, stressing that every Nigerian had the right to freedom of movement regardless of political affiliation, status or personal belief.
He added that the investigation was ongoing and that anyone found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The commissioner urged residents to remain calm and allow the police to conclude their investigation.
“No individual or group has the right to unlawfully obstruct another person’s movement,” he said.
Nwadiogbu said Obi’s visit had been presented to the command as a non-campaign trip to sympathise with families affected by the Yelwata crisis.
He said Obi’s representatives informed the police that only a small number of people would accompany him, prompting the command to provide enhanced security for the visit.
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 had also deployed undercover personnel to identify those involved in the incident and determine their motives.
Nwadiogbu warned that as the country approaches the 2027 elections, security agencies would not tolerate actions capable of heightening political tensions.
He assured residents that the police would continue to enforce the law while protecting lives and property.
On Tuesday, a group of people blocked Obi’s convoy at Gboko Road while he was attempting to enter Benue State.
Videos shared by Esther Umoh, Obi’s photographer, showed people 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 visited Benue to console victims of insecurity and insisted that the trip was not for campaign activities.
The Benue State Government, however, said it was unaware of the visit and denied involvement in the incident.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Democratic Congress and the Obidient Movement condemned the mob action against Obi.
They called on the Benue State Government and relevant security agencies to immediately investigate the incident and bring those responsible to justice.
