MAKURDI — The Benue State Police Command has arrested 46 people allegedly linked to the obstruction of the convoy of Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi during his visit to the state on Tuesday.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Cletus Nwadiogbu, disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing journalists in Makurdi.
Nwadiogbu said the arrests followed an intelligence-led investigation launched after the incident, assuring that efforts were ongoing to apprehend other individuals allegedly involved.
According to the commissioner, the command was informed at about 5:30 p.m. on Monday that Obi was expected to visit Benue.
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He said the police subsequently deployed security personnel, including three police escort vehicles led by an Assistant Commissioner of Police, to provide security for the former Anambra State governor.
However, Nwadiogbu said the command later received information that a group of people had blocked the movement of Obi’s convoy, creating a tense situation that could have escalated into violence.
The commissioner explained that officers initially refrained from using force because of concerns that such action could result in casualties and damage to property.
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He said the police eventually secured Obi’s movement to the airport, from where he departed the state safely.
Nwadiogbu stressed that the decision not to immediately use force should not be interpreted as inaction, noting that the command promptly commenced efforts to identify those responsible for the obstruction.
“Key arrests have been made, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend all other persons connected with the incident,” he said.
The commissioner reiterated the neutrality of the police, saying the command would remain professional and impartial in dealing with political activities.
He maintained that every Nigerian has the right to freedom of movement irrespective of political affiliation, adding that no individual or group had the right to unlawfully obstruct another person’s movement.
“No individual or group has the right to unlawfully obstruct another person’s movement,” Nwadiogbu said.
He disclosed that the police were initially informed that Obi’s visit was humanitarian rather than political, as he was expected to sympathise with families affected by the Yelwata crisis.
According to him, representatives of Obi had also indicated that the former governor would be accompanied by only a small delegation, prompting the command to make additional security arrangements.
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Nwadiogbu said he was personally attending to another security challenge involving road blockades around Taka and Guma when he was alerted to the obstruction involving Obi’s convoy.
He added that undercover police officers were subsequently deployed to identify individuals involved in the incident and determine the circumstances and motives behind the obstruction.
The commissioner warned that, with the 2027 general elections approaching, the police would not tolerate actions capable of heightening political tension or threatening public safety.
He assured residents that the command would continue to protect lives and property while enforcing the law without political bias.
The incident was earlier reported, which said Obi’s convoy was blocked along Gboko Road as he attempted to proceed into Benue.
Videos that circulated following the incident appeared to show individuals carrying sticks and pursuing vehicles within the convoy.
Obi later explained that his visit was to sympathise with victims of insecurity in the state and insisted that it was not connected to campaign activities.
The Benue State Government subsequently denied knowledge of Obi’s visit and rejected allegations that it was involved in the obstruction.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and the Obidient Movement condemned the alleged attack and obstruction of Obi’s movement, calling for a thorough investigation.
They urged the state government and security agencies to identify those responsible and ensure that anyone found culpable is brought to justice.
The police have meanwhile continued their investigation, with the command warning that individuals found to have participated in the incident would face prosecution in accordance with the law.
