Benue State Police Command has arrested 46 suspects in connection with the blockade of the convoy of Nigerian Democratic Congress presidential candidate Peter Obi on the Makurdi-Gboko federal highway.
Commissioner of Police Cletus Nwadiogbu announced the arrests on Wednesday while addressing journalists in Makurdi. He said intelligence-led operations began immediately after the Tuesday incident and that investigations continue as key youth leaders remain at large.
“The command immediately commenced intelligence-led operations to identify those responsible. Forty-six arrests have been made, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend all other persons connected with the incident,” Nwadiogbu stated, according to reports by Channels Television. He warned that the police will not tolerate political intolerance ahead of the 2027 elections and stressed every Nigerian’s right to free movement.
The confrontation occurred shortly after Obi arrived in Benue on September 8. His convoy was stopped by a group of youths a few metres from the airport as he headed to Yelewata in Guma Local Government Area to console families of victims of June 2025 attacks that killed more than 270 people. Videos showed people with sticks pursuing vehicles and blocking the two-lane highway, causing traffic chaos. Police escorts, including three vehicles led by an assistant commissioner, managed the situation without force to avoid casualties. Obi was later escorted safely to the airport.
Obi described the episode as “very very worrisome.” He said: “We arrived Makurdi at 9 AM, but on our way to the Yelewata community… only to be blocked by thugs shouting, ‘Peter Obi go back!’” He appealed to young people not to be used as political tools and called on the Inspector-General of Police and other agencies to intervene and hold governors accountable.
The Benue State Government denied any role. Chief Press Secretary Tersoo Kula said the administration had no knowledge of the visit and rejected claims of government-linked thugs. “We wish to emphatically deny that the government of Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has an idea of what Mr. Obi is talking about,” Kula stated. Officials suggested the matter might stem from internal party issues or a lack of formal notification.
Nwadiogbu confirmed the command was notified of the visit the previous evening and had provided security, noting the trip was presented as a sympathy visit rather than a campaign event. The case remains under investigation, with those found culpable to face prosecution.
