{
  "id": 6298744,
  "title": "Benue denies deploying thugs against Peter Obi",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/benue-denies-deploying-thugs-against-peter-obi",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-08T16:44:34.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/benue-denies-deploying-thugs-against-peter-obi/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "The Benue State Government has rejected presidential candidate Peter Obi's claim that he was blocked by thugs allegedly working for the state government from accessing Yelwata. The government dismissed the allegations of sending state-sponsored thugs to block his convoy along the Gboko Road, citing a lack of prior protocol notification and rejecting claims of political high-handedness. Benue State's Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, emphasized that the government doubts the visit occurred and questioned Obi's motives for visiting the state without informing relevant security authorities.",
  "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."
}