Hooligans in their numbers on Tuesday have reportedly attacked the convoy of the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, along the Gboko-Makurdi Expressway in Benue State, preventing him from visiting Yelwata in Guma Local Government Area to sympathise with victims of the June 13, 2025, terrorist attack.
Obi had arrived in Makurdi, the state capital, in the morning and was on his way to Yelwata when the incident occurred.
The Benue State NDC Publicity Secretary, Agile Bem Ordedoo, accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of mobilising thugs to stop Obi from reaching the community.
“Thugs in their numbers mobilised in thousands and stopped the presidential candidate of NDC, Mr Peter Obi, from entering Yelwata to condole with victims and offer relief materials worth billions,” Ordedoo alleged.
However, the Benue State APC Publicity Secretary, Benedict Yaweh, denied the allegation, saying the party was not aware of the reported attack.
“We are not aware of the attack if truly they were attacked in Makurdi. If they were attacked, it may be from their aggrieved supporters and not APC members. We are a peace-loving party and we don’t involve in thuggery,” Yaweh said in a telephone interview.
The NDC official said Obi had planned to visit victims of the attack and present relief materials as part of efforts to support affected residents.
The June 13, 2025, attack on Yelwata claimed scores of lives and displaced residents, sparking widespread condemnation and renewed calls for improved security in Benue State.
Gaining access to Benue State Police Command was unsuccessful as its spokesperson, Peter Orchia Aondongu, did not respond to calls while seeking clarification and his reaction on the reported issue.
