The Cross River State Police Command has arrested a 27-year-old man in connection with the attack on the convoy of Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), in Calabar.
The arrest followed an incident on Wednesday, November 4, when suspected hoodlums reportedly armed with machetes and sticks attacked vehicles in Obi’s convoy, smashing some of their windshields.
Police spokesperson in Cross River State, Eitokpah Akata, identified the arrested suspect as Victor Edet Yellow Duke, adding that investigations were ongoing to track down other individuals believed to have participated in the attack.
Obi had earlier disclosed that his convoy was attacked while he was in Calabar for a town hall meeting. The visit was part of his nationwide engagements ahead of the 2027 general election.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Akata said the incident occurred around 2:20 pm along the Watt Market Roundabout axis of the state capital.
According to the police, Obi’s convoy was returning from the palace of the Obong of Calabar to Metropolitan Hotel, where the NDC presidential town hall meeting was scheduled to take place.
The police spokesperson explained that the convoy came under attack when a group of suspected hoodlums emerged from the Calabar Road and Clerks Alley axis.
The attackers were reportedly carrying machetes and sticks and targeted vehicles within the convoy, damaging their windshields.
Akata said the exact number of vehicles affected had yet to be established.
The police said officers deployed around the area responded promptly after the attack was reported, helping to contain the situation and prevent further escalation.
The arrested suspect was subsequently taken to the state police headquarters by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU).
Akata said the decision to transfer him to the headquarters was intended to facilitate a discreet investigation and prevent possible reprisals or further disruption of public order.
He added that normal activities had since resumed in the affected area.
The Commissioner of Police in Cross River State, Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, has directed a comprehensive investigation into the incident.
According to the police spokesperson, the commissioner instructed investigators to identify and arrest everyone suspected of involvement in the attack and establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The command said efforts were ongoing to apprehend other suspects who may have taken part in the violence.
However, the police cautioned against treating the arrest as proof of guilt, stressing that Victor Edet Yellow Duke remained entitled to the presumption of innocence until the investigation was concluded and any subsequent judicial proceedings determined his culpability.
Police assure political parties of security
Following the incident, the Cross River State Police Command assured residents, political stakeholders and visitors that adequate security arrangements remained in place across the state.
Akata said the command was committed to protecting political candidates, their supporters and members of the public, regardless of their political affiliations.
He also reiterated that all political parties would receive equal security protection to enable them to conduct lawful political activities without intimidation or disruption.
The police urged the public to remain calm as investigations continued, while assuring that those found responsible for the attack would be dealt with in accordance with the law.