- Safiu Kehinde
No fewer than 46 suspects allegedly involved in the attack on the convoy of the 2027 Nigeria Democratic Congress Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, have been arrested by the Benue State Police Command.
NPO Reported that Obi and his entourage had on Tuesday come under attack shortly after his arrival in Benue as suspected hoodlums obstructed the road and ordered him back.
The hoodlums could be seen in a viral video hurling stones at the convoy of the former Anambra State governor as they chanted ‘Peter Obi go back’.
Obi, who claimed to have arrived in Benue for a planned condolence visit to victims of the 2025 terrorists attack in Yelewata town, was forced to leave the state.
In the wake of the incident which sparked mixed reactions and calls for investigation, the police embarked on raid at the community where the incident occurred.
Addressing newsmen during a press briefing on Wednesday, the Benue Commissioner of Police (CP), Cletus Nwadiogbu, admitted that the command was informed of Obi’s visit at about 5:30 p.m. on Monday, prompting it to deploy adequate security, including three police escort vehicles and personnel led by an Assistant Commissioner of Police.
He said Obi’s movement was subsequently obstructed by a group of persons, creating tension and a situation that could have degenerated into violence.
According to him, the police made a professional and tactical decision not to use force immediately in order to prevent possible loss of lives and destruction of property.
He said Obi was eventually escorted safely back to the airport and departed the state peacefully.
The commissioner stressed that the tactical decision should not be mistaken for police inaction, saying the command immediately commenced intelligence-led operations to identify those responsible.
He thereafter disclosed that the command has so far arrested 46 suspects in connection to the crime.
“Key arrests have been made, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend all other persons connected with the incident,” he said.
Nwadiogbu said the command remained a neutral and professional institution, adding that every Nigerian had 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.
The commissioner further disclosed that the investigation was ongoing and that those found culpable would be dealt with in accordance with the law.
He urged members of the public to remain calm and allow the police to conclude their investigation.
Nwadiogbu further explained that the visit had been presented to him as a non-campaign visit to families affected by the Yelwata crisis.
He said Obi’s representatives had indicated that only a small number of persons would accompany him, prompting the command to provide enhanced VIP security.
The commissioner also said he was personally handling a separate security crisis involving road blockades around Taka and Guma when he received information about the obstruction of Obi’s convoy.
He said the command had deployed undercover personnel to identify those responsible for the incident and establish their motives.
Nwadiogbu warned that with the country approaching a sensitive political period ahead of the 2027 elections, security agencies would not allow actions capable of escalating tensions to go unchecked.
He assured residents that the police would continue to act professionally while enforcing the law and protecting lives and property.