Obi: Benue convoy attack 'deeply distressing,' police probe incident

Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi, has described attacks on his convoy in Benue State by suspected thugs as 'deeply distressing.' Obi, on his official X account on Tuesday, said he had travelled to sympathise with families affected by the recent massacre in Yelwatda community. According to him, he arrived in Benue at about 9 a.m. on what he described as a purely humanitarian mission to visit families of victims of the Yelwata killings, in which more than 270 people were reportedly massacred. He said the convoy was stopped by youths chanting, 'Peter Obi, go back,' adding that he had visited the state not for partisan politics but to mourn with the bereaved, listen to affected families and offer comfort. According to Obi, the incident was particularly troubling at a time when Nigerians should be united in grief and focused on preventing further bloodshed. 'I came to Benue not for partisan politics, but to mourn with our people, to listen to families who have lost loved ones, and to offer comfort at a moment of unimaginable sorrow,' he said. He urged Nigerians to reject actions capable of aggravating political and social divisions, stressing that the people of Benue deserved to live, travel and cultivate their land without fear. Obi said the primary responsibility of government remained the protection of human life, adding that Nigeria could not claim to have built the nation its citizens deserved until security was restored. Although he was unable to reach Yelwata, the former Anambra governor said his thoughts and prayers remained with the victims, their families and the entire community. The Benue State Police Command said it was aware of the incident and had commenced investigations to determine the circumstances surrounding the blockage of Obi's convoy. Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Peter Orchia Aondongu, said police operatives provided security for Obi's movement to Yelwata in Guma Local Government Area. 'We can confirm that the Police are aware of the incident involving Peter Obi's movement to Yelwata. Police operatives provided security for the movement,' Aondongu said. He added that the reason the convoy was blocked by some youths remained unclear. '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 police spokesman said.