Tension erupted in Benue State on Tuesday following the alleged blocking of a major road by suspected thugs shortly after the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi, arrived in the state.
The incident reportedly occurred along Boko Road, close to the Nigerian Air Force Base, as Obi and members of his entourage made their way into the state.
Obi’s media aide, Esther Umoh, raised the alarm in a post on X, where she shared a video purportedly showing the obstruction.
Umoh alleged that those behind the roadblock were attempting to prevent the former Anambra State governor from proceeding with his visit.
“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 wrote.
In another video shared by the media aide, a group of people could be seen running after vehicles believed to be part of Obi’s convoy.
Umoh alleged that the individuals were attempting to attack members of the entourage.
The identities of those involved could not be independently established, while the reason for the reported obstruction was also unclear at the time of filing this report.
It was equally unclear whether security operatives intervened or if the development affected Obi’s scheduled activities in the state.
The incident comes amid heightened political activities in Benue ahead of the 2027 general elections.
As of the time of filing this report, the Benue State Government and the police had not publicly responded to the allegations.
