The Cross River state Police Command has said it forestalled the breakdown of law and order and arrested one person following a reported attack on the convoy of the presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Peter Obi, and his running mate, Alhaji Rabiu Kwankwaso, in Calabar n Wednesday.
The Public Relations Officer of the command, ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata, who confirmed the attack said the command had also intensified its surveillance to forestall further breakdown of law and order.
A press release signed by Akata said “The Cross River State Police Command has arrested a 27-year-old suspect, identified as Victor Edet Yellow Duke, in connection with the alleged attack on the convoy of the Presidential Candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), His Excellency, Peter Obi, along the Watt Market Roundabout axis of Calabar, on Wednesday, 4th November 2026.
“The attack reportedly resulted in damage to the windshields of some vehicles in the convoy.
“The incident occurred at about 2:20 p.m. as the candidate’s convoy was returning from the palace of the Obong of Calabar en route to Metropolitan Hotel, the venue of the party’s presidential town hall meeting.
“At the Watt Market Roundabout, a group of suspected hoodlums, reportedly armed with machetes and sticks, emerged from the Calabar Road and Clerks Alley axis and attacked vehicles within the convoy, smashing their windshields. The exact number of vehicles affected is yet to be ascertained.
“Police personnel deployed around the area responded swiftly to contain the situation. The intervention, which included the deployment of tear gas, led to the arrest of the suspect, while other suspected attackers fled the scene.
“The arrested suspect was subsequently moved to the State Police Headquarters by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) for discreet investigation and to prevent any possible reprisal or further breakdown of law and order. Normalcy has since been restored in the area.
“The Commissioner of Police, Cross River State Command, CP Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, psc, mnips, mspsp, has directed a thorough investigation to identify and apprehend other persons who may have participated in the attack and establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
“The Command emphasises that the arrest of a suspect does not amount to a determination of guilt, as the suspect remains entitled to the presumption of innocence pending the conclusion of investigation and any subsequent judicial proceedings.
“The Command assures residents, political stakeholders and visitors that adequate security measures remain in place to protect lives and property and guarantee the peaceful conduct of lawful political activities across the state.
“It reiterates its commitment to providing equal security protection to all political parties, candidates and their supporters, irrespective of political affiliation, while urging members of the public to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified information and promptly report suspicious activities through established Police communication channels.
“The Cross River State Police Command remains committed to maintaining public safety, protecting democratic participation and ensuring that all lawful political activities are conducted in a peaceful and secure environment.”
In a chat, another police officer, who declined to disclose his name, said the intervention was necessary to prevent violence, and added, “What we have done is very necessary; otherwise, it would have been a bloody scene.”
The incident occurred as the NDC prepared to host a presidential town hall meeting in the popular Metropolitan Hotel situated at the Murtala Muhammed Highway, Calabar, featuring Obi and Kwankwaso
The NDC event coincided with a street rally by supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), who had mobilised in large numbers around the Eleven-Eleven Roundabout, close to the Metropolitan Hotel area.
However, neither Obi nor Kwankwaso was injured in the incident. The motive behind the attack could not be established but calm had returned to the area as at press time
