The Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi has alleged that “hired thugs” prevented his convoy from reaching Yelwata, Benue State, where he said more than 270 people were killed in a horrific attack.

Obi while writing on his X- handle said he travelled to Benue on Tuesday morning, arriving at about 9am, for what he described as a purely humanitarian visit to families affected by the killings.

According to Obi, his convoy was prevented from proceeding to the affected community by individuals he described as thugs, who allegedly chanted, “Peter Obi, go back.”

Obi said he found the incident “deeply distressing,” stressing that, in his account, his visit had nothing to do with partisan politics.

He said his intention was to mourn with families who had lost loved ones, listen to those affected and offer comfort and solidarity following the violence.

The former governor said he considered the alleged obstruction particularly alarming because, in his view, the country should be united in grief and focused on preventing further loss of life.

Obi also argued that Nigerians should be able to sleep, travel and cultivate their farms without fear, while insisting that he believed the protection of human life should take precedence over political considerations.

He said that although he was unable to reach the Yelwata community, his thoughts and prayers remained with the victims, their families and the wider community.

Obi further said he would continue advocating for the restoration of the government’s responsibility to protect Nigerians, adding that he believed the country could not claim to have built the nation citizens deserve until their lives were adequately protected.

“A New Nigeria is POssible,” Obi concluded.