Benue Police Probe Attack on Obi’s Convoy

• The Benue State Police Command has launched an investigation into the attack and blockade of Peter Obi’s convoy along the Gboko-Makurdi Expressway in Makurdi on Tuesday.

• Obi was heading to Yelwata in Guma Local Government Area to commiserate with victims of the June 13, 2025 terrorist attack, which claimed scores of lives and displaced residents, when his movement was disrupted by the youths.

• The Benue NDC accused the APC of mobilising thousands of youths to stop Obi and prevent him from delivering relief materials to affected communities.

• Police authorities have so far declined to attribute the blockade to any political party or identify those behind it, saying the motive remains unknown and promising further updates as the investigation progresses.

September 08, () — The Benue State Police Command has commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack and blockade of the convoy of the Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, along the Gboko-Makurdi Expressway in Makurdi on Tuesday.

The Command confirmed that some youths blocked Obi’s convoy as he travelled to Yelwata in Guma Local Government Area but said it was yet to establish the reason for their action.

Spokesperson of the State Police Command, DSP Peter Orchia Aondongu, said police operatives had provided security for Obi’s movement to Yelwata when the incident occurred.

Aondongu said the Command was aware of the development and was monitoring the situation while investigating the circumstances surrounding the blockade.

“We can confirm that the Police are aware of the incident involving Peter Obi’s movement to Yelwata. Police operatives provided security for the movement. The reason the convoy was blocked by some youths is still unknown.

“We are monitoring the situation and investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. Further updates will be provided accordingly,” he said.

The police confirmation followed an earlier report by that a large number of youths had allegedly attacked Obi’s convoy along the expressway, preventing him from proceeding to Yelwata.

Obi had arrived in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, on Tuesday morning and was travelling to Yelwata when the incident occurred.

The NDC presidential candidate was scheduled to visit communities affected by the June 13, 2025 terrorist attack, condole with victims’ families and express solidarity with residents still affected by the tragedy.

Reacting to the incident, vice presidential candidate of the NDC, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, condemned the attack, and called on the international community for protection of opposition leaders.

Kwankwaso, in a statement via his X handle, expressed deep concern over the mobilization of unruly elements against opposition political leaders, stressing that constitutional rights must be protected.

“I am deeply disturbed by the attack on the convoy of our presidential candidate, Peter Obi, as he travelled to Benue State.

“The deliberate mobilisation of unruly elements to block and attack his convoy and prevent him from entering Makurdi marks another dark day for our democracy.

“Authorities must remember that the Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to freedom of movement. This right applies even more strongly to Mr Obi, a former governor and leading opposition figure.

“The Benue State Government must, as a matter of urgency, ensure that those responsible are swiftly identified and prosecuted. It must also guarantee the safety and free movement of our candidate and his entourage.

“I further urge the President to caution state governors, particularly those in his party against any actions that could undermine the sanctity of our democracy.

“I also call on the international community, including diplomatic missions and election observation groups, to take note of this incident and to urge Nigerian authorities to uphold the rule of law, protect opposition leaders, and safeguard democratic freedoms,” he said.

The Benue State Police Command has launched an investigation into the attack and blockade of Peter Obi’s convoy.
NDC Accuses APC

The incident immediately triggered a war of words between the NDC and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

The Benue State NDC Publicity Secretary, Agile Bem Ordedoo, accused the APC of mobilising youths to prevent Obi from reaching Yelwata.

Ordedoo alleged that thousands of thugs were mobilised to frustrate Obi’s visit, which he said was intended to include the delivery of relief materials to victims of the attack.

“Thugs in their numbers mobilised in thousands and stopped the Presidential candidate of NDC, Mr Peter Obi, from entering Yelwata to condole with victims and offer relief materials worth billions,” he said.

The allegation was, however, rejected by the APC, which denied any knowledge of the incident and distanced itself from the alleged attackers.

The Benue State APC Publicity Secretary, Benedict Yaweh, said the party was committed to peace and had no involvement in political thuggery.

“We are not aware of the attack if truly they were attacked in Makurdi. If they were attacked, it may be from their aggrieved supporters and not APC members. We are a peace-loving party and we don’t involve in thuggery,” Yaweh said in a telephone interview.

Meanwhile, the Benue State Government has denied having prior knowledge of Peter Obi’s visit to the state.

“As presidential candidate of a party and former governor he is a property of federal government and ought to have been given security, where are those security agents around him and if he is going to any state, the security of the host state should know so as to provide security for him,” Chief Press Secretary to Governor Hyacinth Alia, Kula Tersoo, said in reaction to the incident.

Tersoo also rejected suggestions that the youths involved in the incident could have been acting on behalf of the state government.

He maintained that the Alia administration does not employ thugs and argued that there was no reason for the governor to perceive Obi as a threat.

“We were surprised that youth would stop someone, youth can not do anything on behalf of government. Our government doesn’t patronize thugs and in any case Obi is not a threat to the governor, we are not aware that Obi is coming to Benue. Am hearing it from you,” he added.