The suspects were paraded on Wednesday, a day after Obi’s convoy was stopped by a group of youths during his visit to the state.
Addressing journalists in Makurdi, the Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, said investigations into the incident were ongoing, adding that the command was also tracking some key youth leaders involved in the incident.
Nwadiogbu warned that the police would not tolerate political violence or intolerance in the state, particularly as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections.
Obi had arrived in Benue as part of his political engagements ahead of the 2027 presidential election. He was also scheduled to visit Yelwata to meet with and sympathise with families affected by the deadly attacks in the community in June 2025.
However, his convoy encountered a roadblock mounted by angry youths a short distance from the airport along the two-lane Makurdi-Gboko highway.
The incident disrupted vehicular movement and caused significant traffic congestion as the youths occupied the highway.
Obi, who later addressed journalists, condemned the incident and appealed to security agencies to ensure that politicians are allowed to move freely across the country.
He said the convoy arrived in Makurdi at about 9 a.m. and was heading to Yelwata to express solidarity with victims of the attacks when it was confronted by youths chanting, “Peter Obi, go back.”
The former Anambra State governor said he chose not to confront the protesters to avoid escalating the situation or putting lives at risk.
Obi also urged young Nigerians not to allow themselves to be used to advance the interests of politicians, arguing that citizens should express their political preferences through the ballot rather than violence.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, condemned the disruption of Obi’s movement, saying such actions have no place in a democratic society.
Keyamo said it was immaterial whether the incident was linked to internal disagreements within the NDC, as alleged by the Benue State Government, or was sponsored by a rival political party.
According to him, every politician should be allowed to campaign and move freely without intimidation or physical attacks.
The minister, however, criticised what he described as partisan media coverage of political confrontations, accusing sections of the media of describing similar incidents differently depending on the political party involved.
Keyamo called on the media to maintain neutrality and urged politicians and their supporters to channel their grievances through the electoral process rather than resorting to violence.
