Police in Cross River State have arrested a 27-year-old man in connection with Wednesday’s attack on the convoy of Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), in Calabar. The incident, in which hoodlums armed with machetes and sticks smashed the windscreens of several vehicles, is the latest in a series of violent episodes that have trailed Obi’s movements as campaigning for the 2027 general elections gathers pace.
According to Premium Times and TheCable, the state police command named the suspect as Victor Duke and said a full investigation had been ordered to identify and arrest others involved.
What Happened in Calabar
Police said the attack took place at about 2:20 p.m. on Wednesday near the Watt Market Roundabout in the Cross River State capital. Obi’s convoy was returning from the palace of the Obong of Calabar to the Metropolitan Hotel, where the NDC had scheduled a presidential town hall meeting as part of a tour of states ahead of the polls.
In a statement issued by the command’s spokesperson, Sunday Eitokpah Akata, police said a group of hoodlums emerged from the Calabar Road and Clerks Alley axis and attacked vehicles in the convoy. The windscreens of some vehicles were smashed, although police said the number of vehicles affected had not yet been established.
Videos circulating on social media appeared to show young men striking vehicles with sharp objects. Police said the identities of those involved were still being established.
Arrest and Police Response
Officers who responded to the scene used tear gas to disperse the attackers, the command said. Duke was arrested during the operation, while other suspects fled. He was taken to the State Police Headquarters by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, partly to prevent any reprisal.
The Commissioner of Police, Ajo Ordue, has ordered a thorough investigation aimed at tracking down the remaining suspects. The command also cautioned the public against prejudging the case, stressing in its statement that “the arrest of a suspect does not amount to a determination of guilt.”
Police said normalcy had been restored around Watt Market, that security had been reinforced, and that all political parties were entitled to equal protection. Residents and party supporters were urged to remain calm.
Claims of Injuries and Political Blame
Punch reported that stones, bottles and other objects were thrown during the attack and that some NDC supporters were injured, according to a roundup by Premium Times. Those injuries were not mentioned in the police statement.
Obi has blamed supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the incident. However, police have not established the political affiliation of the attackers or whether anyone sponsored them.
Separately on Wednesday, security personnel intervened in a confrontation between NDC participants and APC supporters near the Metropolitan Hotel on Murtala Mohammed Highway. Police described it as a meeting of two groups whose routes converged. Police have not said whether that encounter was linked to the convoy attack.
A Pattern of Campaign Violence
The Calabar incident adds to growing concern over political violence ahead of 2027. Earlier this year, Obi’s convoy came under attack in other states. In September, police in Benue said they had arrested 46 people after his convoy was blocked there, and there were earlier reported attacks in Edo and Katsina.
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has separately warned that people who destroy campaign posters and billboards will be arrested and prosecuted, a sign of how tense the political atmosphere has become. Premium Times noted there is no established link between that directive and the Calabar attack.
What Happens Next
Detectives are expected to question the suspect and review video footage to identify others involved. If the investigation is completed, those arrested could face charges including malicious damage and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace. The NDC is expected to continue its town hall tour, and the case is likely to raise fresh calls for security agencies to guarantee the safety of all candidates as the campaign season intensifies.
Sources: Premium Times, TheCable, Punch.
