NEWS
Police Probe Blockade of Peter Obi’s Convoy in Benue, Commissioner Vows to Uncover Why Youths Stopped Visit
…says, We Were Informed Ahead Of Obi’s Visit, We Provided Security
The Benue State Police Command has commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the reported blockade of the convoy of former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, by some youths during his visit to the state.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Cletus Nwadiogbu, confirmed the development on Tuesday, explaining that the command was working to establish why the youths allegedly prevented Obi from proceeding to Yelwata in Guma Local Government Area.
Obi had travelled to the area to visit communities affected by the deadly attack of June 13, 2025, which claimed more than 200 lives and displaced a large number of residents.
According to the police commissioner, the command had made adequate security arrangements for Obi’s movement after receiving information that the former governor was visiting the affected communities for humanitarian reasons and not as part of a political campaign.
He explained that the police considered the visit a legitimate movement and therefore provided security to ensure that Obi could travel safely to his intended destination.
“Everybody has freedom of movement in Nigeria, so I provided security.
“I also directed the assistant commissioner of police in charge of operations to personally lead the men,” he said.
However, the situation reportedly took a different turn when Obi arrived in the area, as the police received information that some youths had mounted a blockade on the road leading to Yelwata.
The youths were said to have prevented the former governor and his entourage from proceeding further, reportedly insisting that they did not want to see him in the community.
“Unfortunately, upon his arrival, we heard that the youths blocked the road and said they did not want to see him,” he said.
Nwadiogbu said the police were able to manage the situation and prevent it from escalating, but stressed that the command would not simply overlook the incident.
He explained that the investigation would focus on determining the circumstances surrounding the blockade, including the reasons behind the youths’ action and whether any property was damaged during the confrontation.
“We must get to the bottom of it and know why the youths said somebody cannot move freely,” he said.
The commissioner further disclosed that after being prevented from continuing to Yelwata, Obi eventually left Benue State.
He assured the public that the police would thoroughly investigate the incident and promised to make the findings of the investigation available.
The development comes against the backdrop of heightened sensitivity surrounding security and communal relations in Benue, particularly following the devastating Yelwata attack in June 2025.
The attack, which claimed more than 200 lives, left communities traumatised and displaced numerous residents. It triggered widespread condemnation and renewed demands for stronger security measures to protect vulnerable communities across the state.
Obi’s planned visit was therefore expected to provide an opportunity to sympathise with affected residents and assess the situation in the aftermath of the violence.
The reported blockade has now raised fresh questions about the circumstances that led to the youths’ refusal to allow the former governor access to the affected community, with the police investigation expected to provide clarity on what transpired.
The Benue Police Command has consequently placed the incident under investigation as it works to establish the events leading to the blockade, the identities and motivations of those involved, and whether any acts of d
estruction occurred during the episode.