Peter Obi Benue Blockade: Police Arrest 46 Suspects Over Convoy Obstruction”

MAKURDI, Benue State. The Benue State Police Command has arrested 46 people allegedly involved in obstructing the convoy of Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), during his visit to Benue State on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. The Commissioner of Police in Benue State, CP Cletus Nwadiogbu, disclosed the arrests on Wednesday, September 9, while briefing journalists in Makurdi. He said the investigation remains ongoing and that the police are still working to identify and apprehend other individuals believed to have been involved. What Happened? Obi had travelled to Benue to visit Yelwata in Guma Local Government Area, where he intended to meet and sympathise with families affected by the deadly June 2025 attacks. According to the police, Obi's representatives notified the command of his visit at about 5:30 p.m. on Monday, September 7, after which security personnel were deployed, including three police escort vehicles led by an Assistant Commissioner of Police. However, while Obi's convoy was travelling along the Makurdi-Gboko road, a group of youths blocked the road and prevented the convoy from proceeding. Videos from the incident showed people carrying sticks and other objects as the convoy turned back. Police officers were also seen positioned between the group and the convoy. Why Police Did Not Use Force CP Nwadiogbu said the police deliberately avoided immediately using force to disperse the crowd because of concerns that doing so could result in loss of life or destruction of property. Instead, Obi was safely escorted back to the airport and subsequently left the state. The commissioner said the decision was a tactical security measure and should not be interpreted as police inaction. He said the command immediately began intelligence-led operations to identify those involved, leading to the arrests. The police chief stressed that every Nigerian has the right to freedom of movement regardless of political affiliation and warned that anyone found culpable would face prosecution under the law. Police Yet to Establish Political Sponsorship Despite political accusations surrounding the incident, the police have not publicly linked the 46 suspects to the APC, the Benue State Government or any other political organisation. This distinction is important because several political actors and groups have made competing claims about who may have organised or sponsored the blockade. The Benue State Government has denied involvement, saying it had no knowledge of the incident and does not engage, patronise or deploy thugs as instruments of governance or security. The state government also questioned why Obi's visit had not been formally communicated to relevant authorities, while maintaining that recognised security agencies, rather than political thugs, are responsible for maintaining law and order. Obi Condemns the Incident Following the blockade, Obi condemned the incident and called on security agencies to intervene. He said he had travelled to Benue to sympathise with victims of insecurity and expressed concern that a presidential candidate could be prevented from moving freely within the country. He also urged young Nigerians not to allow themselves to be used as instruments by political interests. Political Reactions Intensify The incident has since generated condemnation from opposition groups and other political figures. The Nigeria Democratic Congress and the Obidient Movement called for an investigation, while other politicians have demanded that the circumstances surrounding the blockade and the identity of those behind it be established. The incident has also prompted renewed concerns about political intolerance as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections. The Benue police commissioner warned that security agencies would not tolerate actions capable of escalating political tensions. Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo also condemned the obstruction, saying political disagreements should be settled through democratic processes rather than violence or intimidation. At the same time, he criticised what he described as partisan media coverage of political confrontations. Investigation Continues The police say the investigation is still underway, with additional suspects potentially being identified. The authorities have yet to publicly establish whether the people arrested acted independently, were connected to a political organisation, or were responding to local political tensions. The 46 arrests therefore represent an ongoing police investigation rather than a final determination of guilt. The development comes at a politically sensitive period as parties and presidential aspirants begin positioning themselves ahead of Nigeria's 2027 elections. Source of the Report Primary source: Statement/briefing by CP Cletus Nwadiogbu, Commissioner of Police, Benue State, reported by Nigerian media on September 9, 2026. Published/independently reported by: Channels Television — “Police Arrest 46 In Connection With ‘Attack’ On Obi's Convoy” Premium Times — “Police arrest 46 suspects over obstruction of Obi’s convoy in Benue” TheCable — “Police arrest 46 suspects for obstructing Obi’s convoy in Benue” Vanguard — “Peter Obi: Police arrest 46 over incident in Benue” PUNCH — “Police arrest suspects over Obi’s convoy blockade in Benue” Editorial Note: The Benue State Police Command has attributed the arrests to itself. The police have not publicly established that the suspects acted on behalf of any political party or government. Allegations of political sponsorship remain disputed and should not be presented as facts.