Police Launch Probe into Blockade of Obi’s Convoy in Benue

The Police have said they are investigating why some youths blocked the convoy of the Candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, in Makurdi, the capital of Benue State on Tuesday.

Benue Police Commissioner, CP Cletus Nwadiogbu, said this while confirming the blockade of the NDC presidential candidate who was on his way to the Yelwata Community in Guma Local Government Area of the State.

Nwadiogbu said the police had provided security for Obi’s movement to Yelwata where he was expected to visit communities affected by the June 13, 2025, deadly attack.

He said the police were informed that Obi’s visit was not for political campaign, but to visit some people and commiserate with victims of the attack.

“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.

The commissioner, however, said that upon Obi’s arrival, the police received information that youths had blocked the road and prevented him from proceeding to Yelwata.

“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 command had managed the situation but would not ignore the incident, adding that investigations would determine why the youths acted as they did.

“We must get to the bottom of it and know why the youths said somebody cannot move freely,” he said.

He said after being prevented from proceeding to his destination, Obi later left the state.

The commissioner said the command was also investigating circumstances surrounding the blockade and possible destruction during the incident.

Nwadiogbu promised to provide the findings of the investigation.

Recall that Benue Governor, Hyacinth Alia had earlier dismissed claim by Obi that those who blocked him from accessing Yelwata were thugs working for the state government.

The spokesperson for Governor Alia, Mr Tersoo Kula, in a statement issued on Tuesday in Makurdi described Obi’s allegation as a desperate attempt to drag the governor and the Benue Government into what could be an internal political matter within the NDC.

Kula also said the state government had no knowledge of the alleged incident and questioned whether Obi actually visited Makurdi, citing what he described as his antecedents of making untrue claims against the state.

He urged Obi to resolve any disagreement or internal political challenge within the NDC rather than attributing such issues to the state government.

“The Alia administration will not be distracted by attempts to manufacture political controversies where none exists,” Kula said.

He said the government’s attention remained focused on good governance, strengthening security and improving the welfare of Benue residents.

Kula urged the public to disregard allegations linking the state government to any incident involving Obi.

“Benue remains open to legitimate visitors, political actors and all Nigerians who come in peace,” he said.
(NAN)

*Headline Options for Print + Character Count*

1. *Police Probe Blockade Of Peter Obi’s Convoy In Benue*
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2. *Youths Block Obi’s Convoy In Makurdi, Police Investigate*
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3. *Benue Police: We’ll Find Out Why Obi Was Blocked*
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4. *Obi Prevented From Visiting Yelwata As Youths Block Road*
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5. *Alia Govt Denies Role In Blockade Of Obi’s Benue Visit*
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*News Print Rewrite – 210 words*

*MAKURDI* — .

“Unfortunately, upon his arrival, we heard that the youths blocked the road and said they did not want to see him,” the CP stated.

He said the command managed the situation but would not ignore it, adding that investigations would determine why the youths acted as they did. “We must get to the bottom of it and know why the youths said somebody cannot move freely,” he said.

Obi later left the state after being prevented from proceeding to Yelwata.

Meanwhile, the Benue State Government, through the Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Hyacinth Alia, Mr. Tersoo Kula, denied any involvement, describing Obi’s allegation as an attempt to drag the government into an internal NDC matter.

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*40-Word Brief*
Benue Police are investigating the blockade of Peter Obi’s convoy in Makurdi by youths who prevented him from visiting Yelwata. CP Cletus Nwadiogbu said security was provided. The Alia government has denied involvement in the incident.

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*Key Points*
– *What happened*: Youths blocked Peter Obi’s convoy in Makurdi, preventing Yelwata visit
– *Police response*: CP Nwadiogbu confirms probe, says Obi had police security
– *Govt position*: Alia’s aide Tersoo Kula denies state involvement, calls it internal NDC issue
– *Context*: Visit was to commiserate with victims of June 13, 2025 attack

Want me to also do a *separate news piece* on the `NDLEA N1.1bn Tramadol + 2,145kg Cannabis bust` headline you dropped at the top? Please