MAKURDI, Nigeria — The Benue State Police Command said on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, that it had arrested 46 people over the obstruction of Peter Obi’s convoy a day earlier.
The police also confirmed they had received advance notice of Obi’s visit, contradicting an earlier suggestion by the Benue State Government that security officials had not been properly informed.
Commissioner of Police Cletus Nwadiogbu announced the arrests at a news conference in Makurdi.
He said investigators were continuing to search for other people suspected of involvement in the blockade.
The state government had previously questioned why a presidential candidate would enter Benue without formally notifying security authorities of his movements.
The government’s statement suggested that Obi’s team had failed to follow the required protocol.
Nwadiogbu provided a different account. He said the command learnt of the visit at about 5:30 p.m. on Monday, September 7.
That account was consistent with a notification letter released by Ohini Ojegbe, the NDC chairman in Benue State. The document bore a police stamp marked “RECEIVED” and dated September 7.
Nwadiogbu said the command subsequently assigned three police escort vehicles and officers led by an assistant commissioner of police to provide security for Obi’s movements.
Despite that deployment, a group blocked the convoy on Tuesday, preventing Obi from continuing his journey.
The commissioner described the situation as tense and said officers feared that confronting the group could lead to deaths and damage to property.
Police instead escorted Obi back to the airport, where he departed the state.
“Let me state clearly that the tactical decision taken by the police should not be mistaken for inaction,” Nwadiogbu said.
The commissioner said intelligence-led operations began immediately after the confrontation and resulted in the 46 arrests.
Video from the scene appeared to show men carrying sticks and other weapons while blocking the road and approaching the convoy.
Separate footage appeared to show some police officers greeting members of the group rather than dispersing them.
Nwadiogbu did not directly address that footage during the news conference.
He maintained that the police command “remains a neutral and professional institution” and said Nigerians were entitled to freedom of movement regardless of their political affiliation, social position or personal beliefs.
No person or organisation had the right to obstruct another person’s movement unlawfully, he said, adding that anyone found responsible would face legal action.
Nwadiogbu urged residents to remain calm while the investigation continued.
The Benue State Government had not responded to the police confirmation that the command received notice of Obi’s visit before the blockade.
