The Cross River State Police Command has arrested a 27-year-old man following an attack on the convoy of former Labour Party presidential candidate and Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, Peter Obi, in Calabar.
The suspect, identified as Victor Edet Yellow Duke, was apprehended on Wednesday, November 4, after suspected hoodlums disrupted Obi’s movement around Watt Market Roundabout in the state capital.
The incident reportedly happened at about 2:20 p.m. while Obi and his entourage were travelling from the palace of the Obong of Calabar to Metropolitan Hotel, where the NDC presidential town hall meeting was scheduled to take place.
According to the police, the attackers emerged from the Calabar Road and Clerks Alley areas, carrying machetes and sticks. They allegedly descended on vehicles in the convoy, damaging several windshields before security operatives moved in to restore order.
Police officers deployed in the area used tear gas to disperse the attackers, leading to the arrest of Duke, while others reportedly escaped. The suspect was later taken to the State Police Headquarters for further investigation.
The police said the number of vehicles damaged during the incident was still being determined. They also cautioned against treating the arrested man as guilty before investigations are completed and a court reaches a decision.
Reacting to the development, Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu condemned the attack, describing it as an embarrassment to a state known for its peaceful atmosphere and hospitality.
Through his Chief Press Secretary, Linus Obogo, the governor expressed sympathy to Obi and his team, assuring them that political violence would not be tolerated under his administration.
Otu also disclosed that he had instructed security agencies to investigate the incident thoroughly and ensure that everyone involved is identified and brought to justice. He further assured political parties that they would be allowed to carry out their activities without intimidation, regardless of their political affiliations.
The NDC also criticised the attack, warning that such incidents pose a threat to political freedom and democratic participation. The party confirmed that no member of Obi’s delegation sustained injuries.
In a statement signed by its National Presidential Campaign Council spokesperson, Dr Chiogo Constance Ikokwu, the party urged the state government and security agencies to ensure that those responsible are prosecuted.
The NDC further recalled an earlier incident in Benue State, where Obi’s convoy reportedly encountered a roadblock mounted by a mob along the Makurdi-Gboko Federal Highway, close to the Nigerian Air Force Base.
The party warned that allowing attacks against political candidates and their supporters to go unpunished could encourage further acts of intimidation as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Meanwhile, the police have assured residents and political stakeholders that adequate security arrangements are in place across Cross River State, stressing that all parties and their supporters are entitled to equal protection.
