Tension In Benue As Thugs Attack Peter Obi’s Convoy, Force Campaign Team To Retreat

• Peter Obi’s convoy came under attack in Benue State on Tuesday, after suspected thugs allegedly blocked Boko Road near the Nigerian Air Force Base in Makurdi, apparently seeking to prevent the former presidential candidate from gaining access to the state.

• Videos from the scene showed men armed with sticks, clubs, stones and other objects pursuing the convoy, with some of them allegedly throwing objects at the vehicles as Obi’s security and campaign team attempted to leave the area.

• The attackers reportedly breached a police cordon mounted to separate them from the convoy, forcing Obi’s team to turn back and abandon its planned entry route amid heightened tension and security concerns.

• The incident has revived an earlier confrontation between Obi and the Benue State Government, following the cancellation of his planned humanitarian visit to Makurdi in April 2025 after the state government warned against high-profile visits without prior approval.

September 08, () — Tension rose in Benue State on Tuesday after suspected thugs allegedly attacked the convoy of the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, forcing his campaign team to retreat from an entry route into the state.

gathered that the incident occurred along Boko Road near the Nigerian Air Force Base shortly after Obi’s convoy arrived in Benue.

The development was disclosed by Esther Umoh, Obi’s campaign photographer, who posted videos of the incident on X.

Umoh alleged that the men had blocked the road in an attempt to prevent Obi from gaining access to the state.

“We have just arrived in Benue State, where alleged sponsored thugs have blocked Boko Road by the Air Force Base, attempting to prevent Peter Obi from gaining access into the state”, she stated.

The videos accompanying her post showed a group of men gathered around the road as Obi’s convoy attempted to move through the area.

Several of the men could be seen carrying what appeared to be clubs, sticks, stones and other objects while pursuing the vehicles. Some of the objects were allegedly thrown towards the convoy as the drivers attempted to reverse and leave the area.

In another video, a detachment of policemen could be seen positioned between the convoy and the group, apparently attempting to prevent the situation from escalating.

The police presence, however, appeared insufficient to contain the crowd, as the suspected thugs reportedly breached the security line and continued pursuing the convoy.

The convoy subsequently turned back and left the area. There was no immediate indication of the extent of damage to the vehicles or whether anyone sustained injuries in the incident.

Speaking shortly after the incident, Obi said he aborted his visit to victims of last year’s Yelwata massacre following the attack.

As of the time of filing this report, the Benue State Police Command had not provided details on the incident. Efforts to reach the police for confirmation and clarification were unsuccessful.

Tuesday’s confrontation revives an earlier disagreement between Obi and the Benue State Government over his planned visit to the state in April 2025.

Obi had scheduled a humanitarian visit to Makurdi for April 14, 2025, which was expected to include courtesy calls, a visit to a nursing school in Gboko and engagements with internally displaced persons (IDPs).

The planned visit was, however, halted after the Benue State Government issued a warning against high-profile visits to the state without prior approval.

Obi subsequently expressed concern over what he described as an attempt to obstruct his humanitarian mission. According to the former Anambra State governor, he had made repeated efforts to establish contact with Governor Hyacinth Alia through the governor’s Aide-de-Camp, but received no confirmation before the state government issued its directive.