The Benue State Police Command has paraded 46 suspects arrested in connection with the alleged attack and blockade of the convoy of Nigerian Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in Makurdi.
The suspects were arrested after angry youths blocked Obi’s convoy along the Makurdi-Gboko federal highway on Tuesday as he travelled to Yelewata to meet victims of the June 2025 attacks.
The Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, said investigations were ongoing, adding that the police were tracking some key youth leaders believed to be involved in the incident.
He warned that the command would not tolerate political intolerance or violence as the 2027 general elections approach.
Obi condemned the incident, describing it as unacceptable and calling on security agencies to ensure that political candidates are allowed to campaign freely.
The Benue State Government, however, denied involvement in the blockade, describing Obi’s allegation that state-sponsored thugs were responsible as unfounded.
The government said the incident could be linked to internal political issues within the NDC and insisted that Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration does not engage or deploy thugs for political or security purposes.
