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46 suspects arrested in connection with ‘attack’ on Peter Obi’s convoy in Benue
The police have so far arrested 46 suspects in connection with the “attack” on Peter Obi’s convoy on Tuesday, preventing him from gaining access into Benue State.
The former Anambra governor and presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), was blocked by suspected thugs along the Makurdi-Gboko federal highway, from entering the state.
Police commissioner, Cletus Nwadiogbu, in a press briefing on Wednesday said the arrests followed intelligence-led operations launched immediately after the incident.
He stated that the command deployed adequate security personnel to protect Obi throughout his movement in the state, after the NDC presidential candidate informed them of his visit to the state.
“Consequently, adequate security was deployed, including three police escort vehicles with personnel led by an assistant commissioner of police,” he said.
The commissioner however noted that Obi’s movement was obstructed by a group of persons, creating tension.
“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.
“The police subsequently ensured the safety of the former Anambra State governor by escorting him back to the airport, from where he departed the state peacefully.
“Let me state clearly that the tactical decision taken by the police should not be mistaken for inaction.
“The Command immediately commenced intelligence-led operations to identify those responsible. 46 arrests have been made, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend all other persons connected with the incident,” he said.
He warned that acts of political intolerance would not be allowed in the state, while reaffirming the command’s neutrality.
Obi had on Tuesday embarked on a visit to Benue for his political campaign ahead of the forthcoming general election.
He was also scheduled to pay a visit to Yelewata, to meet and commiserate with victims of the June 2025 attacks.
His convoy however ran into a full roadblock on the two-lane Makurdi-Gboko federal highway by angry youths.
Obi reacting to the situation, admonished youths to avoid being used as political tools by the ruling class, while calling on security agencies to call state governors to order.
“It is ridiculous. Our experience this morning is very very worrisome. We arrived Makurdi at 9 AM, but on our way to the Yelewata community, to console and show solidarity with the family affected by the killings of over 270 persons in that community, and support them in any way I can, only to be blocked by thugs shouting, ‘Peter Obi go back!. Peter Obi go back!’
“And I was wondering: are we still in Nigeria? Because, even the campaign I have started, I should be able to move around freely. But we didn’t want to go on and cause confusion and possibly endanger the lives of other people, so I decided to remain as civil as possible.
“I am using this occasion to appeal to security agencies, the IG of police, and other agencies, to please intervene and be able to call various state governors to order. I was a state governor myself. This rascality cannot be allowed…We cannot go on this way. This is unacceptable”, Obi lamented.
Benue State government however rejected the allegations that the thugs in question were working for the state government.
This was contained in a statement issued by the governor’s chief press secretary, Tersoo Kula, who denied the state’s involvement in the incident.
“We wish to emphatically deny that the government of Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has an idea of what Mr. Obi is talking about,” Kula said.
The statement said Obi was not a threat to governor Alia, adding that the governor was committed to peace and the rule of law.
