The Benue State Police Command has arrested 46 suspects over the blockade of the convoy of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in Makurdi, the state capital.
The Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing journalists in Makurdi, saying the command would not relent in bringing everyone identified to have participated in the incident to justice.
Nwadiogbu said the suspects would be investigated and prosecuted according to the law, adding that the police would also work to establish their motive for blocking Obi’s convoy.
“Now we have been able to arrest 46 people identified to have participated in that ugly incident. And we are continuing, we are not relenting.
“We want them to, for once, tell us their aim for doing that and for us to provide the appropriate punishment as provided by the law. Of course, they will definitely be charged to court, but we must send a signal to others who may want to indulge in such type of act,” he said.
The commissioner described the current political period as “very volatile and sensitive,” warning that failure to take decisive action against acts capable of threatening peace could worsen the situation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“We are approaching a very volatile and sensitive period and if we don’t do anything drastic now, the situation will be overwhelming in the near future,” Nwadiogbu said.
“That is why we are taking this drastic step now to ensure appropriate legal action are taken against these 46 that have been arrested.”
Osun Defender reported on Tuesday that hoodlums in their numbers blocked Obi’s convoy along the Makurdi-Gboko federal highway while the NDC presidential candidate was on his way to Yelwata in Guma Local Government Area.
The incident occurred as Obi visited Benue for his political activities ahead of the 2027 presidential election and to meet families and communities affected by the deadly June 2025 attack in Yelwata.
Reports said the youths mounted a roadblock on the highway, with protesters reportedly chanting, “Peter Obi, go back,” preventing the former Anambra State governor from proceeding to Yelwata.
Obi subsequently condemned the incident, describing it as unacceptable and calling on security agencies to intervene.
The NDC had alleged that the youths were mobilised by an aide to Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia. However, the Benue State Government denied involvement in the incident and described the allegation as unfounded.
The police have now moved to prosecute those arrested, with Nwadiogbu stressing that the action was necessary to prevent a repeat of such incidents as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 elections.
Credit: AIT News |X|
Hafsoh Isiaq is a graduate of Linguistics. An avid writer committed to creative, high-quality research and news reportage. She has considerable experience in writing and reporting across a variety of platforms including print and online.
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