Police Arrest 27-Year-Old Suspect Over Attack on Peter Obi’s Convoy in Calabar

The Cross River State Police Command has arrested a 27-year-old man, Victor Edet Yellow Duke, in connection with the attack on the convoy of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in Calabar.

The attack, which occurred on Wednesday, left the windshields of some vehicles in the convoy smashed.

According to the police, the incident happened at about 2:20 p.m. around Watt Market Roundabout as Obi’s convoy was returning from the palace of the Obong of Calabar to Metropolitan Hotel, where the party’s presidential town hall meeting was scheduled to hold.

The command said a group of suspected hoodlums, reportedly armed with machetes and sticks, emerged from the Calabar Road and Clerks Alley axis before attacking vehicles in the convoy.

The exact number of vehicles affected had yet to be established.

Police personnel deployed in the area intervened to contain the situation. The operation, which involved the use of tear gas, led to the arrest of Duke, while the other suspected attackers fled.

The suspect was subsequently taken to the State Police Headquarters by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit for what the command described as a discreet investigation aimed at preventing reprisals and further breakdown of law and order.

The police said normalcy had returned to the area following the intervention.

In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, the command disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, had ordered a thorough investigation to identify and arrest other suspects and establish the full circumstances surrounding the attack.

The command cautioned against presuming the arrested suspect’s guilt, stressing that his arrest did not amount to a determination of criminal responsibility.

“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 statement said.

The police assured residents, political stakeholders and visitors that adequate security measures remained in place across the state.

It also reiterated its commitment to providing equal security protection to all political parties, candidates and their supporters, regardless of political affiliation.

The command urged members of the public to remain calm, avoid circulating unverified information and report suspicious activities through established police 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,” Eitokpah added.