Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Tragedy and chaos unfolded in Benue State on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, when the convoy of Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Peter Obi, was violently attacked and blocked along the Gboko-Makurdi Expressway, leaving more than ten youths hospitalised with severe injuries. The incident, which has drawn widespread condemnation, has added a violent layer to the political tensions ahead of the 2027 elections.
Obi was en route to Yelwata in Guma Local Government Area to sympathise with victims of the June 13, 2025 terrorist attack, which reportedly claimed over 200 lives. However, his convoy was ambushed by a mob wielding sticks, who barricaded the road near the Air Force Base in Makurdi, chanting "We don't want Peter Obi". The attack prevented the former Anambra State governor from reaching the community.
In the aftermath of the confrontation, more than ten injured youths were rushed to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH) in Makurdi for urgent medical attention. A hospital official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that over ten wounded victims were brought in on Tuesday and were responding to treatment. "They are being treated. I don’t know where they came from. We don’t know whether they were involved in Peter Obi’s incident yesterday or not," the official said.
However, the NDC Benue State publicity secretary, Agile-Bem Jabez Ordedoo, issued a stark claim on Wednesday, September 9, stating that one of the alleged attackers had died while receiving treatment at the hospital. "We regret to announce to you that one amongst the young men sponsored to attack the Presidential and Governorship candidates of NDC has passed on this morning at teaching hospital, Makurdi," Ordedoo said. The claim could not be independently verified at the time of filing this report.
In a direct and unflinching address to the media, Obi accused the Special Assistant to Governor Hyacinth Alia on Youths of masterminding the attack and mobilising the youths to block his movement. The Benue State Government, however, has denied prior knowledge of Obi's visit and rejected the allegations that it deployed a mob to stop him. The police have confirmed that operatives provided security for Obi's movement and have launched an investigation into the incident.
The attack on Obi's convoy marks the second reported disruption of his visit to Benue State, raising serious concerns about the safety of political figures and the use of thuggery to stifle political expression. As the injured youths remain hospitalised and the political drama unfolds, the incident has become a flashpoint in the debate over the integrity of Nigeria's democratic process ahead of the 2027 elections.
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