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The Benue State Police Command has arrested 46 people allegedly connected to the obstruction of Peter Obi’s movement during his visit to the state on Tuesday.
The Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing journalists in Makurdi, saying the arrests followed an intelligence-led investigation into the incident.
Nwadiogbu said the command was informed of Obi’s planned visit at about 5:30pm on Monday and responded by deploying security personnel, including three police escort vehicles led by an Assistant Commissioner of Police.
According to him, the police later received information that a group of people had blocked the movement of Obi’s convoy, creating tension that could have resulted in violence.
He explained that officers initially refrained from using force because of the risk of casualties and damage to property.
Nwadiogbu said the police eventually ensured Obi’s safe movement to the airport, from where the presidential candidate departed the state.
The commissioner stressed that the decision to avoid immediate force should not be interpreted as failure to act, noting that the command promptly began efforts to identify and apprehend those responsible.
“Key arrests have been made, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend all other persons connected with the incident,” he said.
Nwadiogbu maintained that the police would remain politically neutral and professional, stressing that every Nigerian is entitled to freedom of movement regardless of political affiliation or personal beliefs.
He said investigations were continuing and that anyone established to have played a role in the incident would face prosecution under the law.
“No individual or group has the right to unlawfully obstruct another person’s movement,” the commissioner said.
Nwadiogbu explained that the police were initially informed that Obi’s visit was not a campaign activity but a humanitarian trip to sympathise with families affected by the Yelwata crisis.
He said representatives of the former Anambra State governor had indicated that only a small delegation would accompany him, prompting the command to make additional security arrangements.
The commissioner added that he was personally attending to another security situation involving road blockades around Taka and Guma when he was alerted to the obstruction involving Obi.
He said undercover officers were also deployed to help identify those involved and establish the circumstances and motives behind the incident.
With the 2027 general elections approaching, Nwadiogbu warned that the police would not tolerate actions capable of triggering 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.
Daily Sun reported the incident on Tuesday when a group of people reportedly blocked Obi’s convoy along Gboko Road as he attempted to proceed into Benue.
Videos circulated after the incident showed individuals carrying sticks and pursuing vehicles in the convoy. Obi later said he had travelled to Benue to sympathise with victims of insecurity and insisted that the visit was not connected to campaign activities.
The Benue State Government denied knowledge of the visit and rejected allegations that it had any involvement in the obstruction.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and the Obidient Movement condemned the incident and called for an investigation into the action against Obi.
They urged the state government and security agencies to identify those responsible and ensure that they are brought to justice.
