NEWS UPDATE
Tension reportedly erupted in Benue State on Tuesday after suspected thugs allegedly blocked a major road as Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, arrived in the state.
The incident was disclosed by Obi’s media aide, Esther Umoh, who shared videos of the alleged disruption on her X account.
According to Umoh, the incident occurred shortly after Obi and members of his entourage arrived in Benue State.
She alleged that the individuals blocking the road were sponsored thugs who intended to prevent the former Anambra State governor from gaining access into 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.
A video accompanying her post showed a road apparently blocked by people and vehicles, disrupting movement along the route.
In another video shared by the media aide, several individuals could be seen running after vehicles travelling with Obi’s convoy.
Umoh alleged that the individuals were attempting to attack members of the entourage during the incident.
The circumstances surrounding the reported confrontation remained unclear as of the time of filing this report.
It was also not immediately established who the individuals seen in the videos were or what prompted the reported obstruction and pursuit of the convoy.
The incident comes amid heightened political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections, with political parties and their prospective candidates increasing engagements across various states.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Benue State Government nor the police had publicly responded to the allegations surrounding the reported attack on Obi’s convoy.
