Thugs allegedly attack Obi’s convoy in Benue

The presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, was on Tuesday prevented from proceeding to Yelwata community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.

Our correspondent reports that Yelwata was the community where more than 100 residents were killed in attacks allegedly carried out by armed invaders in June last year.

It was learnt that Obi and his entourage arrived in Makurdi on Tuesday morning but were reportedly stopped by youths who barricaded his convoy along the Gboko Road, near the Nigerian Air Force Base, preventing him from accessing parts of the state.

• UCL: Mourinho unveils Real Madrid’s squad to face Inter Milan
• UCL: Blow for Mourinho as three Real Madrid players banned for Inter Milan clash

Witnesses said Obi’s convoy was blocked by youths wielding sticks along the dualised road as he attempted to enter Makurdi after landing at the airport.

The Benue South Zonal Chairman of the NDC, Abu Suleiman, who was part of Obi’s entourage, confirmed the development to our correspondent by telephone in Makurdi.

Suleiman said, “I was on the entourage. The youths barricaded the road from the airport axis. He (Obi) opted to talk to them, but they refused. After waiting for over an hour, he flew to Jos.”

He described the development as “worrisome and barbaric”, asking, “Is there anything they are hiding?”

Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) said the command was aware of the incident involving Obi’s movement to Yelwata and that police operatives provided security for the movement.

“The reason the convoy was blocked by some youths is still unknown. We are monitoring the situation and investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. Further updates will be provided accordingly,” the PPRO said.