{
  "id": 6291473,
  "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-6291473",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-08T15:33:40.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "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 blocking his humanitarian mission in Benue State. The presidential hopeful arrived in Benue at around 9 am, intending to visit the families of victims of the June 2025 massacre in Yelwata. However, his convoy was prevented from proceeding to the community by protesters chanting \"Peter Obi, go back.\" The incident occurred a day after Obi attended the opening of another opposition presidential candidate's national campaign office in Abuja. Obi stated that his visit was not driven by partisan politics but rather to mourn with the affected families and offer comfort. He emphasized that the people of Benue and other Nigerians should not live in fear and that the government's primary responsibility should be to protect human life above political considerations. The Benue State Government and the state police command denied Obi's allegations, claiming that security agencies were informed of his visit and provided security. The governorship candidate of the NDC in Benue State, Prof. Terhemba Shija, stated that police operatives were present to accompany Obi during his visit.",
  "summary": "Peter Obi alleges “hired thugs” obstructed his humanitarian visit to Yelwata, Benue State, to meet massacre victims’ families. Read More: https://punchng.com/how-hired-thugs-obstructed-my-visit-to-benue-peter-obi/",
  "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."
}