Thugs block, attack Peter Obi’s convoy in Benue

Suspected thugs, on Tuesday, attacked the convoy of the presidential candidate of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, in Benue State.
The incident occurred along Boko Road, near the Nigerian Air Force Base, as Obi and members of his entourage attempted to proceed into the state.
In his immediate reaction, Obi described the action as a reflection of the declining level of political tolerance in Nigeria and renewed his call for politics centred on unity.
The thugs, armed with sticks, iron, clubs, stones and other objects, blocked the road and prevented the convoy from moving forward.
Videos shared by Obi’s media aide and campaign photographer, Esther Umoh, showed the convoy turning back as the crowd gathered on the road.
In one of the videos, policemen were seen positioned between the convoy and the group, although the crowd reportedly moved past the police line and continued towards the vehicles.
Umoh alleged that the men were sponsored thugs who had deliberately blocked Boko Road to prevent Obi from gaining access to parts of the North-Central state.
“We have just arrived in Benue State, where alleged sponsored thugs have blocked Boko Road by the Air Force Base, attempting to prevent Peter Obi from gaining access into the state,” she said in a post accompanying the videos.
Obi later explained that his visit to Benue was not for political campaigning, but to sympathise with communities affected by recent killings in the state.
“I am in Benue today not for campaigns. I only wanted to go to a place where people lost their lives, to condole and show solidarity with them,” Obi said after the incident.
Freedom Online learned that Obi had intended to visit Yelwata, where residents were affected by a deadly attack, as part of his humanitarian visit.
In April 2025, there was a disagreement between Obi and the Governor Hynciath Alia-led State Government over a planned visit.
The state government had warned against high-profile visits without prior approval, while Obi questioned the circumstances surrounding the cancellation of his planned humanitarian visit.
The state government and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) are yet to react to Tuesday’s incident.