{
  "id": 6285344,
  "title": "How ‘hired thugs’ obstructed my visit to Benue – Peter Obi",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/how-hired-thugs-obstructed-my-visit-to-benue-peter-obi",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-08T14:44:34.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch",
    "slug": "punch",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/how-hired-thugs-obstructed-my-visit-to-benue-peter-obi/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, has accused \"hired thugs\" of obstructing his humanitarian mission to visit families of victims of the June 2025 massacre in Yelwata, Benue State. The incident occurred shortly after he attended the opening of another opposition candidate's campaign office in Abuja. Obi, who described his trip to Benue as a \"purely humanitarian mission,\" said he was prevented from proceeding to the community by protesters chanting, \"Peter Obi, go back.\" The Benue State Government initially denied knowledge of Obi's arrival, but the governor's NDC opponent confirmed that security agencies had been informed and provided security. However, the reason for the convoy's blockade remains unknown, and investigations are ongoing. Obi emphasized that the government's primary responsibility should be the protection of human life, regardless of political considerations, and expressed his commitment to working until this responsibility is restored.",
  "summary": "The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has accused “hired thugs” of obstructing his visit to Yelwata, Benue State, where he had planned to meet families of victims of the June 2025 massacre. Obi, in a statement posted on his X handle on Tuesday, said he arrived in Benue at about 9am Read More:…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Post Nigeria",
        "title": "Peter Obi breaks silence, reveals reason for Benue visit after attack on convoy",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/peter-obi-breaks-silence-reveals-reason-for-benue-visit-after-attack",
        "published": "2026-09-08T10:53:37.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "VIDEO: Protesters block Peter Obi’s convoy on Benue road",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/video-protesters-block-peter-obis-convoy-on-benue-road",
        "published": "2026-09-08T12:14:35.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}