The Benue State Police Command has arrested 46 persons allegedly linked to the obstruction of the movement of the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Peter Obi, during his visit to the state on Tuesday.

Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, disclosed this on Wednesday in Makurdi, saying the arrests followed intelligence-led operations launched after the incident. He said the command moved swiftly to identify those involved after the situation created tension around Obi’s movement.

Nwadiogbu said the police had been notified of Obi’s visit at about 5:30pm on Monday and deployed security personnel, including three escort vehicles led by an Assistant Commissioner of Police, to provide protection throughout his stay.

According to him, the movement was later obstructed by a group of persons, prompting the police to adopt what he described as a professional and tactical approach to prevent the situation from escalating into violence, loss of lives or destruction of property.

The commissioner said Obi was subsequently escorted safely to the airport and departed the state peacefully, stressing that the decision to prevent an immediate confrontation should not be interpreted as police inaction. He added that investigations were ongoing to apprehend other persons connected with the incident.

Nwadiogbu reaffirmed the neutrality of the command, insisting that every Nigerian, regardless of political affiliation or status, has the right to freedom of movement. He warned that unlawful obstruction would not be tolerated and said anyone found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law, while urging residents to remain calm as investigations continue.