Amnesty International Demands Probe into Attack on Obi

Amnesty International has demanded an impartial and independent investigation into the attack on Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), which occurred on September 8, 2026, in Benue State. Obi was en route to Yelwata to visit families affected by a previous attack when his convoy was blocked by youths along the Makurdi-Gboko federal highway.

The youths chanted, “Peter Obi, go back,” forcing Obi and his entourage to return to Makurdi Airport. Amnesty International condemned the incident as a dangerous development for democracy and called for the Nigerian authorities to ensure a thorough investigation.

The Benue State Police Command reported the arrest of 46 suspects linked to the blockade, with Commissioner Cletus Nwadiogbu stating that police had been deployed to protect Obi but chose not to use force to disperse the youths to avoid casualties. Amnesty warned that repeated attacks on opposition figures could undermine democratic participation.