The Benue State Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, has dismissed claims that he was asked to forward a letter notifying Governor Hyacinth Alia of Peter Obi’s planned visit to the state.
Nwadiogbu said the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) merely delivered the letter to his office to notify the police of Obi’s arrival and enable the command to make adequate security arrangements.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Lunch Time Politics on Thursday, the commissioner gave his account of the events that preceded Tuesday’s disruption of Obi’s movement in Benue.
According to Nwadiogbu, NDC officials initially contacted his Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), saying they wanted to see him. Although the meeting was scheduled for 3pm, he said the delegation eventually arrived at about 5:30pm.
He said the visitors informed him that Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, would arrive in Benue around 8am the following day.
“They came to inform me that the presidential candidate is going to be in town by 8am the next day,” Nwadiogbu said.
The commissioner said the late notification created a challenge because police personnel were already deployed on various duties.
He explained that the delegation subsequently clarified that Obi was not coming for a political campaign but simply for a visit, and that only a small security detail was required.
Nwadiogbu said he nevertheless decided to deploy more personnel, ordering three patrol teams to accompany Obi.
The teams, he added, were led by the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of operations.
“They Never Told Me To Transmit The Letter”
Addressing the controversy over the letter, Nwadiogbu was categorical that the NDC did not instruct him to forward it to Governor Alia.
“They never told me to transmit to anybody,” he said.
The commissioner maintained that the purpose of the notification, as explained to him, was to enable the police to provide security for Obi’s movement.
He also rejected suggestions that the officers deployed were assigned to deal with possible protests, saying their role was strictly security-related.
Obi’s Convoy Blocked
The controversy erupted after youths blocked Obi’s convoy along the Makurdi–Gboko Federal Highway on Tuesday, disrupting his movement through the state.
Obi and his supporters condemned the incident, with allegations that it was politically motivated. The Benue State Government, however, has denied involvement.
Reacting to the incident, Obi described the development as “rascality” that should no longer be tolerated.
Opposition figures, including Omoyele Sowore and Atiku Abubakar, have also condemned the disruption.
Meanwhile, the police command says 46 suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident following intelligence-led operations.
A Recurring Flashpoint
Tuesday’s confrontation is not the first time Obi’s movement in Benue has run into controversy.
In April 2025, his planned visit to nursing schools and internally displaced persons’ camps in Makurdi and Gboko was disrupted after the state government issued a notice concerning “unscheduled visits,” citing security concerns.
Obi subsequently turned back to avoid confrontation and redirected his visit to Plateau State.
With the latest incident, questions over political visits, security coordination and the role of state authorities in Benue have once again moved to the centre of public debate.
Obi's Benue Visit: “NDC Never Asked Me To Send Letter To Governor” — Police Boss
