By BONIFACE AKARAH

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has condemned the reported blockade of Peter Obi’s convoy by suspected thugs in Benue State, questioning why youths could be mobilised to prevent the presidential candidate from visiting victims of attacks when they could not be mobilised to stop the killings of civilians.

HURIWA made the statement in a release signed by its National Coordinator, **Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, on Tuesday, September 8, 2026**, following reports that Obi and members of his entourage were stopped while attempting to enter Benue State through Gboko Road.

According to HURIWA, a tense situation was reported on Monday after a group of suspected thugs allegedly blocked Obi’s convoy along the road. Some of the youths were reportedly armed with sticks, while security operatives were said to have arrived at the scene as efforts were made to manage the situation.

The circumstances surrounding the incident, including the reason for the blockade and whether anyone was injured, remained unclear, according to the statement.

HURIWA described the reported action as reckless and provocative, while alleging that the youths may have been sponsored by individuals linked to the Benue State Government.

“We view this lawless, reckless and misdirected angst of these sponsored unruly youngsters suspected to have been procured by the agents of the Benue State administration, as vexatious, irrational, irresponsible and provocative actions,” the rights group said.

The organisation also alleged that the incident could have exposed Obi to physical danger, describing him as one of the Nigerians seeking the presidency ahead of the forthcoming election.

It blamed Governor Hyacinth Alia for what it described as the failure to prevent the incident, recalling that Obi had previously sought to visit Benue over attacks in the state.

HURIWA also criticised what it described as an inconsistent approach to political visits, noting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had previously visited the state following a deadly attack in which, according to the group, more than 200 civilians were killed.

“We condemn the Benue State Government for permitting this lawlessness and we also blame the Federal Government for not deploying sufficient armed security forces to facilitate the passage of Peter Obi into Benue State,” HURIWA said.

The group questioned why youths could allegedly be deployed to block a politician from visiting victims of violence but not mobilised to help protect communities facing repeated attacks.

“Is it not a shame that the Benue State Governor couldn’t mobilise youths and equip them with the requisite weapons to stop the incessant killings of Benue civilians by terrorists but here are the youths being used for the political assignment of blocking the road so as not to allow Peter Obi to visit victims of terrorism in Benue State?” it asked.

HURIWA said the reported blockade raised constitutional concerns, arguing that no subnational or federal government had the authority to arbitrarily prevent a Nigerian citizen from exercising constitutional freedoms of movement and association.

“There is no known law allowing any government at the subnational or national level to prevent a Nigerian citizen from enjoying the constitutionally guaranteed rights to freedoms of movement, association and information,”** the organisation said.

It further accused those involved of attempting to provoke violence, warning that such incidents could contribute to political tension as the country approaches the next election.

HURIWA called on the National Security Adviser, Chief of Defence Staff, service chiefs and Inspector-General of Police to ensure that security agencies remained loyal to the Constitution rather than political interests.

“The security agencies must be up and doing and stop this sort of idiocy from repeating itself so as to avoid causing political uprising in the country especially as the nation prepares for the January election,” it said.

The organisation also urged the police to arrest and prosecute those allegedly involved in the blockade, particularly anyone found to have carried weapons or participated in violent conduct.

HURIWA maintained that political activities permitted under the relevant electoral laws should not become an excuse for violence or the obstruction of political actors.

The group said the incident should serve as a warning against allowing political disagreements to degenerate into violence ahead of the election.