Police Arrest Suspect After Attack on Peter Obi Convoy in Calabar

Police arrested a 27 year old suspect in Calabar after the convoy of Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate Peter Obi was attacked on Wednesday afternoon, November 4, 2026. The Cross River State Police Command said the attack happened at about 2:20 p.m. at the Watt Market Roundabout. Neither Obi nor his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, was injured.

The convoy was returning from the palace of the Obong of Calabar and was on its way to the Metropolitan Hotel, the venue of an NDC presidential town hall meeting, when the attack took place. According to the police statement, signed by Police Public Relations Officer ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata, a group of suspected hoodlums armed with machetes and sticks emerged from the Calabar Road and Clerks Alley axis. The attackers moved on vehicles in the convoy and smashed their windshields. Police said the exact number of vehicles damaged had not been established.

One arrest at the scene

Police officers deployed around the area responded and used tear gas to contain the situation. Officers arrested the suspect, named by police as Victor Edet Yellow Duke, aged 27, at the scene. Other suspected attackers fled. The Violent Crime Response Unit took the suspect to State Police Headquarters for investigation, and police said normalcy had been restored in the area.

Cross River Commissioner of Police Ajo Geoffrey Ordue ordered a thorough investigation to identify and arrest other people involved. The command stressed that the arrest does not establish guilt. In its words: "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." Police said security measures are in place for lawful political activities, that all parties and candidates receive equal protection, and urged the public to stay calm.

The attack came while supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress held a street rally around the Eleven Eleven Roundabout, near the Metropolitan Hotel, on the same day as the NDC town hall meeting.

Party condemnation and a government denial

The NDC condemned the attack. In a statement signed by campaign spokesperson Dr Chiogo Constance Ikokwu, the party said no member of the Obi delegation was injured, although vehicles were damaged.

On Thursday, November 5, the Cross River State Government denied that APC supporters were responsible. In a statement signed by Commissioner for Information and Orientation Pastor Ekpenyong Ene Cobham, the government called the allegation "untrue, unfounded, and a calculated attempt to misrepresent the peace loving people of Cross River State." It said the disruption came from an internal crisis within the opposition camp, said people caught on camera causing unrest were openly displaying NDC insignia, and challenged those making the allegation to produce verifiable evidence linking any APC member to the disruption.

Police have not announced any further arrests, and the motive for the attack has not been established.