By SCM News Desk I Thursday, Sept 10, 2026
MAKURDI — Police in Benue State have arrested 46 persons in connection with a violent attack on the Presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Peter Obi, during his visit to Yelwata.
Obi was visiting Yelwata to express sympathy and deliver relief materials to victims and survivors of a recent massacre in the community when his convoy was targeted by suspected political thugs.
Confirming the arrest in Makurdi, the Commissioner of Police in Benue State, Mr. Cletus Nwadiogbu, disclosed that the command swung into action immediately after the incident to restore order and apprehend the perpetrators.
According to Nwadiogbu, all 46 suspects currently in custody will be thoroughly investigated and arraigned in court to face the full weight of the law.
He emphasized that swift prosecution would send a stern warning to political actors and trouble-makers as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.
”We have arrested 46 suspects in c onnection with the attack on Mr. Peter Obi,” CP Nwadiogbu stated. “They will all be charged to court to serve as a strong deterrent to others who plan to cause chaos as the 2027 general elections approach.”
The attack on the NDC presidential candidate highlights growing security concerns in Benue State, which has faced recurrent communal conflicts, farmer-herder clashes, and violent attacks on rural settlements like Yelwata.
Yelwata, a border community in Guma Local Government Area, has repeatedly been the epicenter of violent raids resulting in tragic loss of lives and widespread displacement.
Public figures and humanitarian organizations have frequently visited the area to offer relief to victims residing in makeshift camps.
The police command’s prompt arrest and planned prosecution of the 46 suspects come amid heightened demands by civil society organizations and electoral stakeholders for heightened security ahead of the 2027 polls.
Security agencies across the country have reiterated a zero-tolerance policy for political violence, intimidation, and candidate harassment in the lead-up to the election cycle.
