The Cross River State Police Command has arrested a 27-year-old suspect in connection with the alleged attack on the convoy of the presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi, in Calabar.
The suspect, identified as Victor Edet Yellow Duke, was arrested following the incident which occurred around 2:20 p.m. on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at the Watt Market Roundabout axis of Calabar.
According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata, the candidate’s convoy was returning from the palace of the Obong of Calabar en route to Metropolitan Hotel, venue of the party’s presidential town hall meeting, when a group of suspected hoodlums reportedly armed with machetes and sticks emerged from the Calabar Road and Clerks Alley axis and attacked vehicles in the convoy, smashing their windshields.
The exact number of vehicles affected is yet to be ascertained.
Police personnel deployed around the area responded swiftly and contained the situation. The intervention, which included the use of tear gas, led to the arrest of the suspect while other attackers fled.
The suspect was moved to the State Police Headquarters by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU, for discreet investigation and to prevent reprisal or further breakdown of law and order. Normalcy has since been restored in the area.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, has directed a thorough investigation to identify and apprehend other persons involved and to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
The Command stressed that the arrest does not amount to a determination of guilt, as the suspect remains entitled to the presumption of innocence pending conclusion of investigation and judicial proceedings.
It assured residents, political stakeholders and visitors that adequate security measures are in place to protect lives and property and guarantee peaceful conduct of lawful political activities, reiterating its commitment to provide equal protection to all political parties and candidates irrespective of affiliation.
The Command urged members of the public to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified information and report suspicious activities through established police channels.