Police Arrest 46 Suspects Over Blockade of Obi’s Convoy in Benue

Omo-Agege, Archibong seek probe • Makinde alleges APC plot • Groups condemn incident, demand Alia’s apology, The Sun News, Nigeria

From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja; Scholastica Hir, Makurdi; Joe Obukata Ogbodu, Warri; Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri; and Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar

The political fallout from the blockade of the convoy of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi in Benue State intensified yesterday, following the arrest of 46 suspects and growing calls for an investigation into the organisers and financiers of the incident.

The development has triggered reactions across the political spectrum, with former Deputy Senate President and NDC candidate for Delta Central, Ovie Omo-Agege, and the party’s deputy governorship candidate in Cross River State, Stella Archibong, demanding a full investigation.

Allied Peoples Movement (APM) presidential candidate Seyi Makinde also weighed in, alleging that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was behind the incident.

The Nigeria Patriotic Youths Forum (PYF), meanwhile, demanded a public apology from Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia, while the state’s three major socio-cultural organisations — Mdzough U Tiv (MUT), Ochetoha K’Idoma and Omi Ny’Igede — condemned the obstruction and warned against actions capable of heightening political tensions.

The police, however, have not linked any of the 46 suspects to the APC, the Benue State Government or any political organisation. The state government has also denied involvement in the incident.

Obi’s convoy was obstructed on Tuesday as he travelled to Yelwata community in Guma Local Government Area to sympathise with survivors and families affected by the massacre that occurred there in June 2025.

The attack, which took place between June 13 and 14, 2025, left scores dead and thousands displaced.

As the confrontation escalated, security personnel accompanying Obi decided against forcing the convoy through, fearing that doing so could trigger violence and result in loss of lives. Obi was subsequently escorted back to the airport and left the state.

Police arrest 46

Benue State Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, said the command had been formally notified of Obi’s visit at about 5:30 p.m. on Monday, September 7.

According to him, the police subsequently deployed three escort vehicles and personnel led by an Assistant Commissioner of Police to provide security for the visit.

“Unfortunately, Mr. Obi’s movement was obstructed by a group of persons, creating tension and a situation that could have degenerated into violence,” Nwadiogbu said.

He explained that the police took a tactical decision to prevent the situation from escalating.

“At that point, the Police took a professional and tactical decision to avoid an escalation that could have resulted in loss of lives and destruction of property. Mr. Obi was subsequently safely escorted back to the airport and departed the state peacefully,” he said.

Nwadiogbu stressed that the decision not to force the convoy through should not be interpreted as police inaction.

He said intelligence-led operations began immediately and resulted in the arrest of 46 suspects, while efforts were continuing to identify and apprehend others believed to have played key roles in the incident.

The commissioner also warned that no individual or group had the right to prevent another Nigerian from exercising the constitutional right to freedom of movement.

“Every Nigerian has the right to freedom of movement, irrespective of political affiliation, status or personal belief. No individual or group has the right to unlawfully obstruct another person’s movement,” he said.

Makinde accuses APC

Makinde, who is seeking the presidency in 2027 on the APM platform, condemned the incident and alleged that “suspected state-sponsored thugs” were responsible.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Digital Communication, Anthony Ehilebo, Makinde described the incident as “a new low” in what he characterised as efforts to suppress opposition politicians.

He alleged that the incident reflected “a new low in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)’s desperation to stifle opposition leaders ahead of the 2027 general elections.”

Makinde also rejected the reported position of the Benue State Government that Obi had failed to obtain prior permission before visiting the state.

He argued that Nigerians did not require permission from a state government to exercise their constitutional right to freedom of movement.

“Setting up roadblocks and engaging thugs to stop opposition candidates have no place in a constitutional democracy,” he said.

Makinde did not provide evidence linking the APC to those arrested, and the police have not announced any such connection.

The Benue State Government has similarly denied involvement, rejecting allegations that those who obstructed Obi’s convoy were acting on its behalf.

Omo-Agege, Archibong demand investigation

Omo-Agege described the incident as a “national disgrace” and called for investigators to look beyond those who physically obstructed the convoy.

He demanded that authorities determine who organised and financed the blockade and identify anyone who may have issued instructions for it.

“There must be no cover-up, political protection, or convenient silence,” he said.
“What kind of politics has Nigeria descended into when even mourning the dead requires political permission?”

Omo-Agege stressed that the tragedy in Yelwata should not be viewed through partisan lines.

“Yelwata’s tragedy is not the property of the APC, PDP, Labour Party or NDC. The dead belong to Nigeria, and their families belong to all of us,” he said.

He added that even if Obi had intended to combine his visit with political activities, his constitutional rights should still have been respected.

“No one should need a party card to mourn with the bereaved,” he said.

Archibong also condemned the blockade, describing it as “unfortunate and unbecoming of a democratic society.”

She called on security agencies and other relevant authorities to investigate the incident and ensure that anyone found responsible was brought to justice.

“Security agencies and relevant authorities should urgently investigate this incident and bring perpetrators to justice,” she said in Calabar.

She also appealed for calm, expressed solidarity with Obi and wished him continued safety.

Youth group demands Alia’s apology
The Nigeria Patriotic Youths Forum described the incident as an abuse of power and demanded an immediate public apology from Governor Alia.

Its National Coordinator, Clifford Obinwanne Chukwuonye, said political disagreements could not justify violations of citizens’ constitutional rights.

“We should respect the rule of law and we must respect each other’s fundamental rights, as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution,” he said.

Chukwuonye alleged that the incident amounted to “an abuse of power” and called on the governor to apologise to Nigerians.

The group warned that the controversy could create a dangerous precedent ahead of the 2027 elections if political rivalries were allowed to interfere with freedom of movement and association.

“Today is Mr. Peter Obi; tomorrow it could be anybody. Power is transient, but your deeds will certainly speak good or bad of you,” Chukwuonye said.

The group also urged young Nigerians not to allow themselves to be recruited by politicians for violence or intimidation during the election season.

Benue groups condemn obstruction
The leaders of Benue’s three major socio-cultural organisations also condemned the incident.

Their chairman, Air Commodore Agbecha Titus (retd.), described the obstruction as “deeply troubling.”

“We condemn any act that obstructs leaders, dignitaries, or citizens from offering comfort and solidarity to grieving communities,” he said.

Agbecha warned against allowing the actions of a few individuals to create the impression that Benue was hostile to visitors.

“Benue is known for hospitality and dignity. We cannot allow isolated actions to define us or to be used to paint our state as hostile to peace and dialogue,” he said.

He urged residents to resolve disagreements through dialogue and cautioned young people against allowing themselves to be manipulated.

“The blood already shed in Benue is too much,” he said.

The groups called on security agencies to protect citizens and visitors, particularly those undertaking humanitarian and solidarity visits.

They also pledged to engage youth leaders and other stakeholders in an effort to prevent a recurrence.

A second controversy

The latest confrontation is the second controversy in less than two years involving Obi’s planned humanitarian activities in Benue.

In April 2025, the former Anambra State governor accused the Benue State Government of frustrating a planned visit to internally displaced persons and a nursing school. The allegation led to a public disagreement between Obi and the state government.

With 46 suspects now in police custody and more being sought, attention has shifted from the people who allegedly blocked the convoy to broader questions about the incident.

Among the issues now being raised are who organised the blockade, who financed it, what motivated the action and whether any political actors were involved.

For now, the police investigation remains ongoing, while the competing allegations and denials have added another layer to the political tensions surrounding the incident.

Culled from The Sun News, Nigeria.