The convoy of former Anambra State governor and presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi, was reportedly prevented from travelling freely by suspected thugs in Benue State on Tuesday morning while he was attempting to visit victims of the Yelwata massacre.
Obi and members of his entourage were reportedly stopped while travelling towards Yelwata, a community in Guma Local Government Area that has remained at the centre of national concern following deadly attacks that left scores dead and displaced thousands of residents.
Videos circulating online purportedly show a crowd confronting vehicles in Obi’s convoy, with some individuals appearing to run towards the vehicles while objects including stones, were allegedly thrown at the convoy.
Obi’s media aide, Esther Umoh, raised the alarm in a post on X, alleging that the road had been blocked by sponsored thugs shortly after the delegation arrived in the 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,” Umoh wrote.
Obi was also reportedly said to have alleged that the individuals involved in the obstruction were mobilized by the Benue State Government. The claim, however, has not been independently verified.
There was no immediate confirmation that Governor Hyacinth Alia or any official of the Benue State Government ordered supporters or other individuals to obstruct Obi’s movement.
It was also unclear who the people seen in the videos were, what prompted the confrontation or whether they were acting on the instructions of any political or government figure.
The development is likely to generate political controversy given previous disagreements between Obi and the Alia administration over visits by the former governor to Benue.
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In April 2025, Obi accused the Benue State Government of frustrating an earlier humanitarian visit to the state. He said his security team was stopped while travelling towards Makurdi after receiving communication that the state government could not guarantee the safety of visitors.
The latest confrontation comes against the backdrop of persistent insecurity in Benue, where attacks on farming communities have resulted in deaths, destruction of property and large-scale displacement.
Yelwata, in particular, drew widespread attention following a deadly attack in June 2025. Human Rights Watch reported that the Benue State Government initially put the death toll at 59, while other accounts placed the number significantly higher.
The violence also forced many residents from their homes and intensified calls for improved security and protection for vulnerable communities.
Obi has repeatedly criticized the government’s handling of insecurity and called for greater protection for communities affected by violence.
His reported visit to Yelwata was understood to be part of his engagement with victims and communities affected by the killings and displacement.
The incident also highlights the politically sensitive environment surrounding security-related visits to affected communities, particularly where allegations of government failure or political interference are involved.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no official statement from the Benue State Government or the Nigeria Police Force providing a detailed account of the confrontation.
It also remained unclear whether anyone was injured or arrested in connection with the incident, while the identities and affiliations of those who allegedly attacked the convoy had yet to be established.
EightEleveenMedia
